For more than two decades, Philip Samuel Oakley has worked on the ultra-specialized ships that make deep sea oil and gas field operations possible. It's a tough, regimented life - darkening skies and heavy seas are just some of the dangers that come with a day's work. But nothing could prepare Mr Oakley and the crew of his ship, the MSV Olympic Canyon, for what they came across in the dark waters of the Bay of Bengal 14 days ago at the crushing depth of almost one kilometer.