U-Boat Worx just unveiled its new three-person Super Sub at the Monaco show, and the innovative Dutch builder says it’s the fastest private submersible ever made.
The 21-foot-long sub has a top speed of 10 knots, and it can dive down to almost 1,000 feet. It has an impressive 100 kW of thrust, coming from four 25 kW and two 6 kW electric motors; the battery has 62 kWh capacity.
The new Super Sub uses advanced technology and new levels of streamlined design and safety, according to the company. Roy Heijdra, U-Boat Worx’s marketing manager, says it is 3-4 knots faster than the top cruising speed of bottlenose dolphin and 7 knots faster than the average sub. He says the Super Sub is more than a boat; it’s a ticket to an underwater theater: “Owners can glide behind a group of sea turtles, cruise alongside a school of sharks, dive and turn with a pod of dolphins, or swiftly navigate through the undercurrents with a powerful barracuda.”
The pilot and two passengers all have an unobstructed view of the underwater world through a clear, acrylic pressurized chamber at the bow of the sub. The pilot has immediate access to all pertinent information on a user-friendly touchscreen display. A network of sensors makes driving easy, and ensures that the hydrofoils at the back of the sub operate in unison with the thrusters.
The sensors direct the thrust more effectively, enabling sharp turns and banking. Indeed, the Super Sub can ascend smoothly and descend at inclines of as much as 45 degrees while executing rapid banking turns.
U-Boat Worx says the Super Sub has a state-of-the art safety system. A “maximum depth protection” feature prevents the sub from descending beyond its maximum depth. If it goes too deep, the system automatically raises it back to its certified level.
It also has a Safety Buoy that marks the sub’s position on the surface when it’s released. A large drop weight also can be released manually from inside the sub to increase its buoyancy and help it return to the surface in an emergency. The sub is equipped with 96 hours of life support.
The Super Sub weighs 19,800 pounds and is 10 feet wide and 7 feet high. It costs more than $5.5 million. The first one will be delivered to its new owner by the end of this year and U-Boat Worx will deliver more next year.
Read more at http://uboatworx.com and see the video below:
