Reef Cruising with Deep Flight's Underwater Plane

Unlike most subs that use ballasts to dive, Deep Flight's Merlin "uses downward 'lift' on the wings to fly down" using a joystick. Deep Flight recently delivered its first Merlin submarine to billionaire Richard Branson whom paid £415,000 for it to keep at his island in the Caribbean. Branson dubbed it the 'Necker Nymph' and it is available for rent for only $25,000 a week.


Deep Flight's Underwater Plane - The Merlin

It was designed and built by Graham Hawkes, chief of Hawkes Ocean Technologies and is the first of its kind.

Marketing manager Karen Hawkes, said: 'The Nymph is an entirely new class of vehicle for us - think of a sleek convertible under water. It is different from our other submersibles because it was specifically designed to dive to scuba depths in tropical waters.

'It has the flexibility to glide peacefully over glorious reefs or bank adventurously in 360 degree turns.'

She described the sub, which is part of its Deep Flight range, as 'hydrobatic' with individual 'wind shields' that removes the pressure of slipstream. This means the sub can have an open cockpit that gives guests panoramic views.

Ms Hawkes also insisted that the sub had a low environmental impact.

'Its positive buoyancy prevents the sub from landing on a reef, and its low light and noise emissions ensure the fragile ocean ecosystems remain undisturbed.'


DEEP FLIGHT MERLIN SPECS:
Dimensions: 4.6m (l) x 3.0m (w) x 1.2m (h)
Cruise Speed: 2-5 knots
Crew: 3 (available in 1 or 2 seats)

Launch Weight: 750kg
Payload: 3 persons


More specs and pics attached.


Source and full article:
Underwater plane bought by Sir Richard Branson | Mail Online


Deep Flight Web site:
Deep Flight Submersibles

 

$25k/week, pocket change, meh::

 

what a surprise mr branson bought it. theres a guy who enjoys life, has his own space ship , now this. but what a cool sub to own. thnx for sharing matt.

 

Correct me if I am wrong but don't scuba divers spend most of their time looking down? That thing doesn't look like it was designed for looking at reefs.

 

Good point. I suppose you probably could fly it upside down. It might be a wee-bit dangerous though. ;D

 

lol i bought one for my pool jk

what is the max deepth

 

Lol, a new toy for my bathtub...;D

 

130 feet.

 

Just a bit(;D), though if you do go ahead and try, I would want to see the insurance on that!

 

I think we should all chip in and get one for GoToSleep, so he can put frags in easier.