Traditionally, most personal submarines top out at approximately three knots. For context, an adult bottlenose dolphin flows through the same waters at a top cruising speed of seven knots. But, ever-committed to pushing the limits of marine exploration, luxury submersible builder U-Boat Worx has managed to elevate its crimson flagship Super Sub to a remarkable 10 knots, making it one of the fastest submersibles on the market for personal use. As if stripped straight from an action movie, the Dutch submersible builder has done away with the “bubble” silhouette holding back similar vessels from maximizing performance. Instead, the three-person Super Sub boasts what U-Boat Worx describes as a “droplet-shaped” hull along with large propellers, rear hydrofoils, and “advanced wing configurations.” The tweaks to the traditional sub design weren’t made solely with aesthetics in mind, although its streamlined, cylindrical shape is a head-turning improvement. More importantly, though, it’s what allows the Super Sub to reach such high speeds and greatly improves its manoeuvrability. In addition to basic forward and vertical movements, the Super Sub also moves laterally, which gives it more precise handling on approaching technical barriers such as wrecks or deep-sea reefs.
After years of tireless development, the submersible now has the same efficient flow dynamics as an electric car. “We are very excited about this development,” says U-Boat Worx CEO Bert Houtman. “It’s something we have been working hard on, and now to have the most flow-dynamic submersible possible, we couldn’t be more pleased. We are confident that our clients will feel the same.”
Most importantly, such mechanical advancement required U-Boat Worx to develop equally advanced safety tech to complement the speed and navigation of the Super Sub. Its touchscreen display offers navigational data as part of the U-Boat Worx Information System, while safety features such as Maximum Depth Protection (which prevents the sub from descending beyond its 300-metre depth limit) and the Deadman’s Switch (which a passenger can trigger to automatically ascend if the pilot is incapacitated) deliver peace of mind and security to its ambitious capabilities.
