Submarine cruiser: feedback requested

[Scorch]

Hi!

I'm working on a a 11 person student project at the University of Houston. We are studying the feasibility of running a submarine as an adventure cruise with a route between, for example, Galveston, Texas and Pensacola, Florida.

One of our members has built a seaworthy prototype. That sub exists, works, and did not cost millions to build. It is not a military sub but it's very capable for transiting navigable waterways.

For most of the transit, the sub will be surfaced and behave just like a power sailboat or schooner. The dives would be carefully scripted events (no crash dives, sorry) in shallow water (less than 100 feet) where there are no rigs, traffic, or potential obstructions (as well as can be determined).

The main concerns for surface travel would be traffic, unlighted rigs, and draft. That is not much different from the thousands of power sailboats who spend their time in the ICWW and Gulf here.

I welcome your feedback on potential problems with this venture.
Thanks!

[Scorch]

I need two posts to include a photo of our sub, I hope this does not seem like I am spamming the board, but I thought you would like to see it. See next post

[Scorch]

[tommays]

All the other ones i have seen go to massive expense to have enough HUGE clear domes for sight seeing

[mgmhead]

Hmmm, don't see much sight seeing opportunity with that Sub, surface running or dived it seems to lack ammenities.

But, pary on!

[SSBN506]

I didn't think you had the sub in the USA. I have sort of followed the project on subsim.com website. I assume the sub is one in the same. If you are ever in Canada or i am in the part of the USA you have the sub you can count me in.

[SSBN506]

Would this be the same sub?
Video: Dramatisk første dyk med dansk hjemmebygget ubåd*| Ingeniøren

[Scorch]

Originally Posted by SSBN506

I didn't think you had the sub in the USA. I have sort of followed the project on subsim.com website. I assume the sub is one in the same. If you are ever in Canada or i am in the part of the USA you have the sub you can count me in.

Holy cow, small world, eh? Yeah, this is Neal, doing due diligence, exploring the costs, logistical needs, and using cruisers as a template for the sub cruise project. Sailboat and cruiser enthusiasts are the subject matter experts for this kind of thing.

No, the sub is still in Copenhagen, I am going there to visit Peter Madsen and see the sub in Sept.

The whole concept of this submarine cruise ship adventure is to provide the WWII submarine enthusiast a Das Boot experience.
YouTube - Das Boot - U-Boat on the Hunt

Only in a safe fashion, of course. It's not a "explore the depths" cruise, like they have in Hawaii. I believe there are people who will enjoy the experience of taking the vessel across open water, conducting dives, competing as lookouts for the "most planes and rigs spotted" contest, living a few days in the confined space to recreate the experience the submariners in WWII had.

I think of rock and mountain climbers, tall sailing ship cruises, and other similar hobbies as similar to this.

[JomsViking]

Originally Posted by SSBN506

Would this be the same sub?
Video: Dramatisk første dyk med dansk hjemmebygget ubåd*| Ingeniøren

It is Nautilus - Why would the University of Houston buy a submarine built by a private person in DK? Just Curious?
Btw from what I heard in february, Nautilus was supposed to be docked in Copenhagen undergoing maintenance in April 2009?

[JomsViking]

Ok, that answered most of my questions, too.. Thanks and good luck..

Originally Posted by Scorch

Holy cow, small world, eh? Yeah, this is Neal, doing due diligence, exploring the costs, logistical needs, and using cruisers as a template for the sub cruise project. Sailboat and cruiser enthusiasts are the subject matter experts for this kind of thing.

No, the sub is still in Copenhagen, I am going there to visit Peter Madsen and see the sub in Sept.

The whole concept of this submarine cruise ship adventure is to provide the WWII submarine enthusiast a Das Boot experience.
YouTube - Das Boot - U-Boat on the Hunt

Only in a safe fashion, of course. It's not a "explore the depths" cruise, like they have in Hawaii. I believe there are people who will enjoy the experience of taking the vessel across open water, conducting dives, competing as lookouts for the "most planes and rigs spotted" contest, living a few days in the confined space to recreate the experience the submariners in WWII had.

I think of rock and mountain climbers, tall sailing ship cruises, and other similar hobbies as similar to this.