C-Explorer Submersible
If you’re looking for a new way to explore the underwater world, a Dutch submarine manufacturer has the perfect machine for you.
Luxury submarine manufacturer U-Boat Worx custom builds and sells several different lines of personal submarines. Based in The Netherlands, the company was founded in 2005, and since then has become the world’s largest mini-submersible manufacturer.
The small, versatile underwater crafts are used for various purposes, including research, at tourist ventures, used for research missions, and for private recreation. The company consists of a team of dedicated team of 30 employees, including engineers, technicians, purchasers and support staff.
Each submarine is built with a 4-12 month lead time and is classed by the DNV GL classification society, an authority which oversees the design, construction and stringent testing of every craft in order to achieve the highest possible safety standards.
U-Boat Worxs’ five submersibles range from 2-person up to 5-person models; C-Quester 2, C-Quester 3, C-Explorer 2, C-Explorer 3 and C-Explorer 5. The C-Quester line of subs are 2 and 3 person subs, with a maximum operating depth of 100 meters. Their C-Explorer line has a maximum 1,000 meter depth limit (3,280 feet). The dive time in both lines is approximately 8 hours, however in case of an emergency, there is life support (oxygen and a scrubber) which can provide life support for at least 96 hours. No special license or training is required, however the purchase of a sub does require participation in the U-Boat Worx training program which takes approximately three weeks to complete.
The C-Explorers share the same technology found in existing C-Quester models, including a catamaran-style design concept combined with a fully acrylic transparent pressure hull to provide optimal underwater viewing. To minimize drag and allow for easy storage in a standard container on a ship, the crafts’ patented floaters are flexible bags encased in a housing that automatically folds in when submerging. The C-Explorer 1 is powered by a 10 kWh lithium-ion battery, while the remaining models pack a 40 kWh lithium-ion battery. Additional features include options for robotic manipulator arms, underwater navigation systems, high-definition video cameras and an integrated remotely operated vehicle (ROV) that can be controlled from inside the sub.
