The Amy Chouest was chartered to research the impact of the massive noise on marine life.
Ian Anderson, writing in New Scientist, reported that environmental activists were concerned the loud noises would deafen marine animals.
[4][5][6] The two men worked for Marine Specialty, a firm hired to carry out some of the research.
A depth charge accidentally exploded on deck, killing the men, but without causing significant damage to the ship.
United Press International speculated that the deaths occurred during an experiment that included the covert involvement of Trident submarines, based on initial United States Navy reports that said that submarines had not surfaced, or fired any weapons, at the time of the explosion.