About GBR Submarines

MANUFACTURER:

IVC Corporation, Vancouver, Canada

TYPE:

Ambient Pressure Resort Submarine

MAXIMUM DEPTH:

45 metres (148 ft)

MAXIMUM SPEED:

4 Knots

PASSENGERS:

2 passengers and 1 pilot

DIMENSIONS:

3.5m L x 2.15m W x 1.8m H

WEIGHT:

960 kg dry

HULL CONSTRUCTION:

Hand laid fiberglass

SAFETY SYSTEMS:

Upward thrust

EBC manual overide

Reserve air system

Manual cockpit air inlet

Triple ballast tanks

Drop weights

Exit port always open for swimming
ascent

Automatic depth control

Automatic depth-change velocity
limit of 1ft/sec

1 - 3 Person Pony Bottle.

POWER & ELECTRICAL:

24 volts Battery: Capacity 500 ahs

THRUSTERS & DIRECTIONAL CONTROL:

2 vertical / 2 horizontal 75 lbs each

Fly by wire joystick with computer
controlled Auto-hover system

Variable intensity, lighted
indicators

INSTRUMENTS:

Computerised Dive Monitor

Air Flow Meter Variable 1~ 150 CFH

Displays - Depth, Dive Time, Safe
Ceiling and remaining time allowable at depth.

ALARMS:

Ascent Rate

High Battery Voltage

Power Failure

Joystick failure

Thruster wiring failure

Low Battery Voltage

BUOYANCY CONTROL:

Electronic, selectable - auto / off / manual

A sub as it is delivered from the manufacturers in Canada

Our mini-subs were designed by Canadian engineer Ray Fast and are in use all over the world in a variety of applications. The submarines work on an ambient pressure design. The concept of the submarine is a pocket

of air is trapped inside the cockpit of the sub (like an upside-down cup traps air when pushed underwater). This trapped air in the sub provides lift, or "buoyancy" and safe breathing air for the occupants. This air is replenished from the scuba tank supply, keeping it fresh and breathable.

This means that the passengers sit in normal fresh air at the same pressure as the water outside. Passengers will need to adjust the pressure of their sinuses whilst the sub dives and ascends. This is done by "equalising" or ear popping (holding the nose and blowing) or swallowing as is often needed on a commercial air flights. New passengers are guided through this easy process by their pilot.

The mini-sub is driven by electric thruster propellers which move the sub forward, backwards, up and down. This system makes the sub far more manoeuvrable than traditional ballast tank and propeller submarines, enabling much safer underwater movement. The air pressure inside the sub is the same as the water pressure outside the sub. With this design, no certified pressure hull is required because there is no danger of the hull collapsing as no differential pressure is being exerted on the hull by the water. This allows for the use of a light and durable fibreglass hull.

Additionally, the water level cannot rise inside the cockpit making the sub completely safe.

The sub is open at the back below the water line. Passengers enter the cockpit through the opening in the back of the hull guided by a safety diver and met inside by their pilot. Once inside passengers sit on seats either side of the cockpit cabin. This configuration provides the best possible views.

Access into the submarine is via the opening under the tail wing.

devices including monitored air quality and maintaining positive buoyancy, which allows the mini-sub to rise to the surface in the event of any incident, including power failure.

All in all this has to be considered one of the safest and trouble free ways to explore the Reef.

Underwater safety is paramount and all tours are accompanied by a qualified safety diver to aid in the unlikely event of an emergency. Additionally all pilots are also qualified dive instructors. The subs have a number of backup and fail safe

Setting off on their first submarine dive

Gliding over the reefs of Fitzroy Island

Submarine dash board and controls. Steering and ascend/descend controlled by a single joystick.

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