DeepFlight Merlin is a personal submarine by Hawkes Ocean Technologies, part of the DeepFlight line of submersibles. The positively buoyantDesign World
"DeepFlight Merlin 3-person Aero Submarine"
18 February 2010 (accessed 31 July 2010)

submersible A submersible is a small watercraft designed to operate underwater. The term "submersible" is often used to differentiate from other underwater vessels known as submarines, in that a submarine is a fully self-sufficient craft, capable of ind ...

was designed by Graham Hawkes.ABC News
"Richard Branson's 'Underwater Plane' Is 1st of Its Kind"
Ki Mae Heussner, 4 February 2010 (accessed 31 July 2010) The Merlin was the first winged open-cockpit

submarine A submarine (or sub) is a watercraft capable of independent operation underwater. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability. The term is also sometimes used historically or colloquially to refer to remotely op ...

(a wet sub) available on the market, and first three-man submarine in the "aero submarine" class, representing a major advance in scuba diving technology. It travels up to 5 knots, has an operating time of one hour, and an open cockpit, requiring the use of scuba gear by occupants, and giving them 360-degree views of the space around them. The sub carries three, two passengers and one pilot.Deep Flight
Merlin
press release, 1 February 2010 (accessed 31 July 2010) The occupants have "windshields" to protect them from the water stream. It is capable of hydrobatic maneuvers and 360-degree turns.'' SmartPlanet''
"Richard Branson reveals $662K fighter jet-inspired submarine"
, Andrew Nusca, 1 February 2010 (accessed 31 July 2010) It weighs 750 kg, is 4.6 m long, 3.0 m wide, 1.2 m tall, and runs off battery power.Gizmag
"Necker Nymph: underwater flying becomes Virgin territory"
(accessed 31 July 2010) It is available as either a single-seater or two-seater. The design work on the sub started in July 2009.''

Outside Outside or Outsides may refer to: General * Wilderness * Outside (Alaska), any non-Alaska location, as referred to by Alaskans Books and magazines * ''Outside'', a book by Marguerite Duras * ''Outside'' (magazine), an outdoors magazine Film, th ...

''
"Just Don't Call It a Submarine"
Thayer Walker, May 2010 (accessed 31 July 2010)

''Necker Nymph''

The first example of the Merlin, the '' Necker Nymph'', was sold to

Richard Branson Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson (born 18 July 1950) is a British billionaire, entrepreneur, and business magnate. In the 1970s he founded the Virgin Group, which today controls more than 400 companies in various fields. Branson expressed ...

's Virgin Hotel Group. It cost US$670,000'' Popular Mechanics''
"Richard Branson Dives Into Personal Submarines With Hawk"
Cassie Rodenberg, 11 March 2010 (accessed 31 July 2010) and is operated by Virgin Aquatic from the 32-metre yacht '' Necker Belle'', which is based at the Virgin Limited Edition resort Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands.'' Daily News''
"Richard Branson's latest toy? An underwater plane called 'Necker Nymph'"
Catey Hill, 1 February 2010 (accessed 25 July 2010)

References

External links

* DeepFlight

(official webpage)

''Necker Nymph''

References

External links

See also