Who hasn’t dreamt of owning a cute little submersible, one that can descend to 1,000 feet, giving its passengers access to the seabed, the coral reefs, shipwrecks and deep water fish, otherwise inaccessible? Now, through Hammacher Schlemmer, that dream can easily become a reality.
Aspiring aquanauts can explore the briny depths in a completely transparent, climate-controlled, thick acrylic pressure sphere. It’s robust enough for the mesopelagic zone – an area some 200 to 1,000 metres below the surface. As the light starts to fade, there is the chance to view many of the more exotic bio-luminescent species.
With a maximum speed of some three knots, the sub is powered by a 24-volt battery bank, providing up to six hours of continuous undersea adventure. Propulsion comes courtesy of two three-horsepower main thrusters, together offering fore, aft and directional push. An additional three horsepower comes from two vertical-translational thrusters, providing up, down, and lateral control. Ergonomically placed in the centre of the sphere, the joystick makes guiding the craft relatively simple, while the independent main and vertical-translational thruster controls allow for precise positioning.
While submerged, four external 150-watt quart-halogen lamps effectively illuminate the surroundings, while a xenon strobe light and RF beacon alert other seafarers to the craft’s location. Surface contact, while on-board, is maintained via a VHF radio and an underwater telephone system. Reassuringly, the craft is fully classified and certified as a +A1 passenger-carrying manned submersible by the American Bureau of Shipping. However, it weighs in at a hefty three tons.