The submarine should be based at a location, which offers good logistics and high exposure for marketing purposes. The submarine will dive at interesting offshore sites, exploring to maximum depths of 300 feet, but typically to around 100 feet (30m).
Dive time will be about one hour per trip for passengers, with a maximum of ten dives per day. Educational and Scientific dives may also be conducted at certain times and have a dive duration of up to eight to ten hours, subject to local conditions.
OPERATIONS PLAN (OFFSHORE)
Each morning the submarine will be prepared for diving and moved to the selected dive site. Passengers will check in to a reception center, receive a safety briefing, and a pre-dive orientation presentation, before being taken offshore. Once all passengers have boarded, the submarine will descend beneath the water, and explore the local shipwrecks, marine life, and coral reefs.
Powerful underwater lights, sonar, cameras, and various instruments are added to this unique experience. At the end of the dive excursion of around 45 minutes which gives an ideal dive turnaround time of one hour, the submarine will surface. Passengers will return to the reception center, where refreshments and souvenirs will be available.
Each evening the submarine will be serviced, & consumables such as power, O2 & Soda Lime for the CO2 scrubbers will be replenished, in preparation for the next day. Depending upon local conditions, the submarine can complete 8 – 10 dives per day, giving a maximum passenger capacity of 192 to 240 paying passengers per day.
LOGISTICS (ONSHORE)
The onshore facilities would consist of the following units. However, it can be assumed that some existing facilities may already be in place, at certain dive locations.
MAINTENANCE WORKSHOP / STORE
- This unit will be located on a suitable site close to the submarine maintenance berth. It will be equipped as a workshop, and storage area, for all spare parts and consumables.
- The unit will require an electrical power supply 380/415 vac, 50hz, three-phase. (Ideally, this would be derived from a dedicated generator set, afford autonomy & ensure a good clean supply for the battery chargers), freshwater, and good security.
- Auxiliary equipment will include battery chargers, an HP air compressor, and an oxygen supply.
RESERVATIONS / PRESENTATION OFFICE
The office will act as a booking, information, customer check-in center, and sales area. A separate section may also be equipped to offer video and slideshow presentations. Subject to space being available, this center could feature a small museum/submarine display area, souvenir shop, and restaurant.
PERSONNEL
The personnel requirement for up to 6 hours/day operations of the submarine operation will be as follows:-
- Pilot/technician (2) (2 per shift)
- Co-Pilot/technician (2) ( per shift)
- Surface Operations Controller
- Reservations/office (3)
For 8 to 10 hours/day operation of the submarine operation will be as follows:-
- Pilot/technician (4) (2 per shift)
- Co-Pilot/technician (3) ( per shift)
- Surface Operations Controller
- Reservations/office (3)
This requirement is based on submarine diving 300 days per annum. The personnel level shown may be adjusted to suit operational requirements, shift systems, holiday & illness coverage & any additional diving days organized. Should an offshore vessel be used to support the submarine operation, crew levels and logistics would need to be reconsidered.
TRANSPORTATION
The submarine is compact and easily transported by land and sea (in a forty-foot shipping container). Land transportation is normally carried out by low-loader. Sea transportation is normally achieved by towing, or onboard a suitable vessel.