Dimensions
LOA: 62 ft 0 in
Beam: 13 ft 7 in
Bridge Clearance: 20 ft 2 in
Dimensions
Ballast: 91 tons
Deepstar Sub
The deepstar submarine is the world's only tourist sub with an all acrylic pressure hull. It seats 45 passengers and was ABS classed to dive to depths of 260 feet.
The sub was built is 1992 by Comex, SA in Marseille France. She is capable of making 10 one hour dives per day to depths of 260 feet.
The sub made 3200 incident dives before being laid up for business reasons in Freeport, Bahamas, where she has sat out of the water for some years.
She requires a major re-fit which is estimated to cost between $1.75 - $2.5 million dollars. The replacement value is between $5 - $7 million.
Deepstar Tourist Submarine Specs: Overall Length: 19.27 m Overall Height: 6.16 m Overall Beam: 4.14 m Weight in Air: 91 T
Description: The Deepstar is a 45-passenger tourist submarine with a unique pressure hull composed of polymethyl methacrylate (acrylic plastic) which provides passengers with panoramic viewing. The submarine was built in 1992 and is classed +A1 Manned Submersible by the American Bureau of Shipping. The certified diving depth is 80 meters. The submarine is electric powered with batteries stored in external one-atmosphere pods and motive force derived from 10kW brushless DC electric thruster motors.
The submarine has made approximately 3200 dives through its operating history and has 15-20 years of remaining useful life after refit.
Certification - ABS A1
Operating depth - 100 m
Passengers - 45
Crew - 2
Length - 19 m
Beam - 4 m
Pressure hull diameter - 2.2 m
Draft - 3.1 m
Weight in air - 90 tons
Side viewports - acrylic cylinders
Bow viewports - 2.2 m.
Maximum surface speed - 3 knots
Submerged cruise speed - 1 knot
Maximum submerged speed - 3 knots
Main thrusters - 2 x 7.5 KW
Vertical thrusters - 2 x 7.5 KW
Bow thruster - 1 x 7.5 KW
Stern thruster - 1 x 7.5 KW
Submerged endurance - 16hours @ 1.5 knots
Main oxygen - 7251 @200 bar
Main air - 18751@245 bar
Main battery - 240 VDC
Emergency battery - 24 VDC
Battery capacity - 420 KWH
Battery charging time - 10 hours
Main ballast capacity - 10,000 kg
Variable ballast - 4,000 kg
Trim/drop weight - 4,000 kg
Normal dive life support - 24 hours for 47 passengers
Emergency life support - 72 hours for 47 passengers
CO2 absorbent - Sofnolime
Air conditioning - 33,000 BTU/hour
Compass main - magnetic fluxgate
Speed log - digital
Depth gauge - digital and analog
Active sonar - colour imaging
Surface communications - VHF radio
Subsurface UWT - 27KHZ
The Support Barge
Was built specifically to support the Deepstar operations.
This 85', 95 ton vessel has extraordinary maneuvering capability through two 'Schottel' Drives. Freebex Pontoon Support Barge
Overall Length: 26.00 m Overall Height: 5.80 m Overall Beam: 10.00 m Weight in Air: 95 tons
Description: The Freebex is a pontoon barge with a hydraulic lift between the pontoons capable of fully lifting the Deepstar submarine from the water.
Internal space in the pontoons houses equipment and machinery space and spare parts storage plus a workshop and crew area.
A diesel generator provides electrical power and a second diesel provides power for the hydraulic Schottel drives that are used for slow speed maneuvering in close quarters. The Freebex also contains the high presure air compressor, battery chargers and oxygen transfer pump necessary for the operation of the submarine.
The Freebex was built in 1992 and rebuilt in 1995 when the bridge deck and maneuvering systems were added.
It has an intergrated hydraulic lift for removing the sub from the water and facilitating loading and unloading passengers at sea. The barge has on board, battery chargers, high and low pressure air compressors, oxygen transfer pump,workspace areas, an electric shop and carries all spares, tools to operate the submarine.
Replace value is between $1.8 - $2.6 million dollars.
Unloaded Draft - 0,700m
Loaded Draft - 1,500m
Deckboard height when loaded - 1m
Height overall - 5,90m
weight - 91 tons
Hull construction - steel
Lifting platform - 19m
Lifting platform width - 4,70m
Lifting payload - 110 tons
Vertical displacement - 4,40m
power - Hydraulic
General Equptment
Main engine - Cat 3116 (1)
Propellers - 2 Schottel SRP 12
Bow Thrusters - 1 electric 15 KW
Generator - Perkins 40 KWA
Propultion Hrdraulic unit- SAUER 150KW
Lifting hydraulic unit HAWE 20 KW
SPEED 3 Kts.
Refit costs
Both vessels have sat out of the water since 2000. They need putting back into service and into class to carry passengers. The refit cost on the sub alone is between $1.75 and $2.5 million.
Why would I buy these vessels?
Simple, because you already have or want to start a tourist submarine business and have the money to purchase the vessels, bring them up to class, and most importantly, have a location where to run the business.
Facts about the tourist submarine business
According to submarine expert L. Bruce Jones of US Submarines, "the most successful tourist submarine operating today has gross revenues of US$1 million per month derived from a single 48-passenger submarine and associated souvenir sales. Annual net pre-tax revenue from this operation is in excess of $7 million. The profits are based on a 10-12 dive per day schedule, 330 operating days per year, a 90+% passenger load factor and a ticket price of $95. While this operation is, indeed, extraordinarily successful, it suffices to illustrate the profit potential of a tourist submarine operating business.
In any location at which a passenger submarine operates, it is notably unique in its ability to capture a significant portion of the tourist arrivals. In some island locations, over 25% of incoming tourists will enjoy the submarine experience before they depart.
Across the globe, interest in the underwater world is growing rapidly. Today, travel tourism is the world's largest single employer representing 6% of the world's population and an annual turnover of two trillion dollars. The marine leisure sector is the fastest growing segment of the travel industry, as is evidenced by the success and growth of public and private aquariums and marine parks, the cruise ship industry, seaside destination resorts, harbor and dinner cruises and sport diving.
Tourist submarines constitute the only direct experience that most people will have with the undersea world. Passengers of any age and physical condition can enjoy a comfortable and safe experience that is so unique it boasts a 95+% satisfaction level. And after having carried millions of passengers, the industry enjoys a perfect safety record without a single serious injury to any passenger.
Tourist submarines also promote environmental stewardship, for only in seeing and appreciating marine life in its natural setting can people be effectively motivated to act to protect the marine environment. And tourist submarines themselves are entirely nonpolluting, with battery powered electric thrusters that emit no hydrocarbons or other effluents. The submarines operate at low speeds, and are extraordinarily maneuverable so that they never come in contact with coral reefs or marine life. In fact, these vehicles are routinely approved to operate in the most ecologically sensitive marine parks and preserves".
Disclaimer
Bradford Marine Bahamas Brokerage, a division of Bradford Grand Bahama, Limited, provides the vessel description information contained herein as a convenience to the website user and does not in any manner warrant or otherwise guarantee the accuracy of such information.Some vessels for sale, if sold to buyers who are citizens or residents of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, may be subject to payment by such buyers of Bahamian Customs duties and related charges. Buyer assumes responsibility to verify all speeds, capacities, consumptions, and other measurements contained herein and otherwise provided and agrees to instruct his/her/its agent(s) to confirm such details prior to purchase. Vessels are, prior to sale, subject to price and/or inventory changes and/or withdrawal from market without notice.
Barge drive engine
Barge drive engine
Barge Gen set
Barge machinery room
Barge gen set
Barge steering system
Barge air compressor
Barge workshops
Sub deck
Support barge LP compressor
Support barge HP manifold
Sub controls
Sub builders plate
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Photo 30
Photo 31
Photo 32
Sub entry hatch
Photo 34
Photo 35
Photo 36
Photo 37
Vertical thruster
Last Revised: Mar 04, 2013
This listing may be centrally listed with another broker, and is offered as a convenience by this broker/dealer to its clients. It is not intended to convey representation of a particular vessel.
Midcoast Yacht & Ship Brokerage
P.O. Box 504
Tenants Harbor, ME 04860, United States
