Academy Award winning filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence James Cameron was in Washington DC yesterday as part of the National Geographic Explorer’s Symposium. Cameron appeared alongside his team members who designed and built the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER submersible. In March 2012, the sub successfully transported Cameron to the ocean’s deepest point and the deepest known place on the planet – 35,800 feet (almost seven miles), the lowest point in the Mariana Trench.

Cameron and his crew of engineers discussed the science behind building the submarine and the painstaking efforts they undertook to ensure Cameron’s safety in the vessel, the crew joked, “We all want to see Avatar 2.”

James Cameron has dominated the box office received critical acclaim and a slew of awards for his numerous hit films including “Avatar,” “Titanic” and “Aliens.” While speaking to the packed audience at National Geographic yesterday, he told them that one of the reasons he spends so much time in Hollywood making films is to fund his passion for deep sea endeavors.

During the panel discussion, Cameron confirmed that he plans to return to the ocean once again to continue exploring, but his work in Hollywood will keep him busy for the foreseeable future. In the meantime, the submarine will be in good hands, Cameron donated the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in America for scientific research.

The Mariana Trench dive marked Cameron’s Cameron’s 8th deep sea expedition. In 2005, he returned to the site of the Titanic wreck. Cameron is currently developing a number of ocean projects, including an environmentally themed expedition series for television.