Marine

Deep-diving research submersible can plunge to 1,700 meters

Deep-diving research submersible can plunge to 1,700 meters
C-Researcher 3 features a fully acrylic pressure hull and a staggering 1,700 meter depth-rating
C-Researcher 3 features a fully acrylic pressure hull and a staggering 1,700 meter depth-rating
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The C-researcher has been added to their range specifically to support the perceived needs of the scientific community
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The C-researcher has been added to their range specifically to support the perceived needs of the scientific community
C-Researcher carries a unique toolset to execute a wide variety of research tasks
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C-Researcher carries a unique toolset to execute a wide variety of research tasks
The submersible features both improved depth-capability and payload capacity for deep scientific missions
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The submersible features both improved depth-capability and payload capacity for deep scientific missions
The C-Researcher is available in two versions: either with or without surface ballast tanks
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The C-Researcher is available in two versions: either with or without surface ballast tanks
C-Researcher 3 features a fully acrylic pressure hull and a staggering 1,700 meter depth-rating
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C-Researcher 3 features a fully acrylic pressure hull and a staggering 1,700 meter depth-rating
The C-Researcher can carry 1 pilot and 2 passengers
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The C-Researcher can carry 1 pilot and 2 passengers
The submersible features a single point lift as standard with man-rated certification
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The submersible features a single point lift as standard with man-rated certification
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The team at U-Boat Worx (UBW) has produced anumber of futuristic-looking, submersible craft designs over the years, including the Ferrari-esque HP Sport Sub 2 and the superyacht-friendly Sub 3. The latest addition – the C-Researcher – is claimed to be the world’s firstfully-transparent, 3-person underwater craft capable of diving to the formidable depth of 1,700 meters (5,577 feet).

The C-researcher has beenadded to the Dutch submersible-building company's range specifically to support the needs of thescientific community. In this vein, it comes with a wide varietyof options to bolster its research capabilities. These include everything frommanipulator/sampler arms through to imaging sonar, a HD video camera system,and parametric sub-bottom profilers. These instruments help measure water conditions, create 2D/3D underwater maps, and allow analysis of the seabed in this rarely seen environment.

The most prominent feature of the C-Researcher, however,is its exceptionally large acrylic bubble that is the crew compartment. Withroom for two scientists/observers and one pilot, the compartment offers panoramicviews of the deep ocean. UBW claims that this spherical acrylic pressure hull isthe first of its kind rated to such depths.

The C-Researcher can carry 1 pilot and 2 passengers
The C-Researcher can carry 1 pilot and 2 passengers

"Those lucky few diving our C-Researcher willbe rewarded with stunning panoramic views of a rich and diverse underwaterscenery that has been hidden from mankind since the existence of our oceans,"said UBW founder Bert Houtman.

Available with or withoutsurface ballast tanks, the submersible is able to be lowered into thewater by crane from a support ship, or maneuver across the top of the water underits own power, kept afloat with the aid of the surface ballast tanks. When craned to the water, the C-Research also has a single-point, man-rated attachment that is designed to provide launch and recovery in almost any weather condition.

According to UBW, takingadvantage of advances in design software and construction materials and building on from lessons learned in building other models in its C- range of submersibles has allowedthe company to produce such a compact and lightweight machine. As such, C-Researcheris small enough to be housed in a superyacht garage, and is able to betransported complete to site with all support equipment in a single 20 ft (6 m)shipping container.

The submersible features a single point lift as standard with man-rated certification
The submersible features a single point lift as standard with man-rated certification

UBW has also incorporated abundant safety features and a rangeof redundancy systems. In support of this, Det Norske Veritas (DNV-GL) – an independent vessel safety andseaworthiness assessment authority – is engaged to oversee design, constructionand trialing of each submersible constructed.

Prices for the C-Researcher are available on request, as are expected delivery times.

Source: U-Boat Worx

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7 comments
7 comments
Tom Lee Mullins
I think that is way cool.
mhpr262
That thing is not exactly sleek looking ... what is the topspeed under water? 2 mph?
Stephen N Russell
Markets for: TV & Movie shooting Research salvage diving & Id install webcams outside & inside for Video feed to shore, worldwide. Need about 20 of these alone & deploy from submerged ex FBM sub type for exploration Must for maritime labs & museums alone
POOL PUMPREAPAIR guy longwood
5,577 feet, Thats scary deep, over 2300 psi. I shutter at the thought.
KentHartland
mhpr262 I don't think speed was a design parameter. It appears to be a classic example of form follows function. Beautiful, indeed. You and I both would love to have a ride in that, eh?
sortit
Stephen Russell: Steady if you shudder at the correct frequency you may fracture the orb!
Looks as though the orb could be the escape module in itself if things go haywire. Hope they have a reserve O2 cylinder in there as well.
mhpr262
guy longwood, even in an ugly boat I would still want to be able to overcome an underwater current that wants to drag me down to 1,701 meters.