A method and apparatus for controlling the depth of submergence of an underwater vehicle is described. The vehicle is formed of two separate components. A first component is a submergible main housing enclosing human life sustaining quarters in open pressure communication with a surrounding body of water. The second component is in the form of a submergible depth control body of a predetermined underwater weight. The depth control body is suspended from the house with a retractable cable. The submergible housing is provided with tanks whose air to water ratio is controlled to bring the buoyancy of the housing below the underwater weight of the depth control body. Precise depth control of the underwater housing is obtained by controlling the length of the cable. The life sustaining quarters of the vehicle are supported with material, such as fresh water or electrical storage batteries and the like, stored in a container in the second component.
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