Ron Allum

Published

December 19, 2024

Photo of a man with white hair siting inside a metal sphere, wearing a dark grey shirt and blue jeans. He is holding a torch and examining the inside of the sphere.

Co-engineer of the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER

A deep-diving legend and prolific cave diver, Ron Allum’s ingenuity and self-taught engineering skills have revolutionised the world of deep-sea exploration.

Hollywood director James Cameron was so impressed with Ron’s innovative marine engineering that he hired Ron as technical director for the building of specialised submersibles. In 2005, Ron co-designed the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER, which carried Cameron to the bottom of the Mariana Trench. Ron’s brilliance on this project is reflected in his invention of a unique foam capable of withstanding intense water pressure found 11 kilometres below the surface. The expedition was crucial for acquiring hours of deep-sea footage, illuminating an entirely new world to scientists.

This remarkable piece of engineering was designed, built and tested in Leichardt, Sydney and after many years, is back in Sydney, Australia as the highlight of Ultimate depth - a journey to the bottom of the sea.

A man with white hair, glasses and a red shirt is seated at a table at the bottom left of the image. There is an out of focus whiteboard in the background.

Randy Larcombe

Photo of a man sitting behind a labtop computer, looking at the camera.

Randy Larcombe

Ron is renowned for his composure in potentially fatal situations and is an inspiration for up-and-coming marine engineers. He is a quiet icon for deep sea exploration.

In 2012, Ron was awarded the New South Wales Senior Australian of the Year, in recognition of his outstanding contributions in the fields of engineering, science and exploration.

Hear from Ron Allum as he reflects on one of his deep-sea career highlights: co-engineering with James Cameron, a monument to engineering and science, the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER.

What’s really down there?

Ron Allum’s incredible deep-sea experience has taken him into depths all over the world. Ron shares a glimpse into something few have seen and explains what it was like diving nearly 5,000 metres to the depths of the Bismarck.

Ron Allum explains what’s involved with building a deep-sea vessel like the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER. Plus, he shares some alarming truths about ocean plastics and his environmental hopes for the future.

Two men talking inside a factory space behind them is a large, polished metal sphere susspended by yellow straps.

Randy Larcombe

The torso of man with white hair and a blue shirt is visable, while his body is inside a large white sphere. He is talking to another man wearing dark grey and black is standing next to the sphere.

Randy Larcombe

A man with white hair is seated in a sphere looking up and to the right of the image. A second man is just visable at the left of the image pointing to something on the right.

Randy Larcombe

A group of three people posed for a photo; A woman with short hair a tan top and jeans, a man with dark hair and a black jumper sitting in a wheelchair, and a man with white hair and a red coat.

Randy Larcombe

Ron Allum’s Deepsea engineering career has focused on mentoring future engineers and scientists. His daughter, Sophie, inspired by their family business values, shares why she is pursuing mechanical engineering and also shares a special message encouraging others who want to challenge themselves and design solutions for conserving our oceans’ future.

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Explore the exhibition

In Ultimate depth - a journey to the bottom of the sea, you embark on a journey from the ocean's sunlit surface to its deepest, darkest depths, exploring five unique zones, each brimming with its own wonders. As you descend, watch the light fade, feel the pressure build, and discover the resilient life forms that thrive in these extreme environments.