26 March 2012Last updated at 08:19

In pictures: Dive to Mariana Trench

James Cameron emerging from the Deepsea Challenger after his dive

Film director James Cameron has travelled down to the deepest part of the ocean, the Mariana Trench in the western Pacific.

Crews prepare the Deepsea Challenger for its first test in the ocean at Jervis Bay, south of Sydney

Travelling solo in a specially constructed submarine, the Deepsea Challenger, he plunged nearly 11km (7 miles) beneath the waves.

James Cameron (L) has a final conversation with ocean explorer and US Navy Lt. Don Walsh (R) just before the hatch on the Deepsea Challenger submersible is closed

This is only the second time anyone has attempted to reach the deepest part of the ocean. The first manned expedition was carried out in 1960 by Swiss oceanographer Jacques Piccard and US Navy Lt Don Walsh, pictured here on the right.

The Deepsea Challenger was equipped with lights and cameras to allow Mr Cameron to film the ocean floor, and robotic arms for him to collect samples.

Former US navy lieutenant and deep sea diver Don Walsh greets James Cameron after his dive.

It took Mr Cameron two hours to reach the bottom and he spent more than three hours exploring the ocean floor.

James Cameron says he wants to use this dive as a platform for further deep-sea exploration.

Science & Environment

In pictures: Dive to Mariana Trench

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