Earlier this year, U-Boat Worx unveiled designs for the Nautilus – the world’s first superyacht submarine. At 42m in length, this incredible hybrid-electrical sub will offer underwater exploration to a depth of 150m and take superyacht luxury, quite literally, to new frontiers.
Deriving its name from the famous Jules Verne novel, ‘Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea’, U-Boat Worx hope that the Nautilus will capture imaginations in similar fashion. Designed to deliver the superyacht lifestyle above the waves as well as below, in surface cruising mode the Nautilus features a sun deck with freshwater pool, bar counter and al fresco dining area, as well as an impressive beach club. In an innovative feat of engineering, the sun deck is then retracted before the Nautilus dives and converts to sub-surface mode.
This state-of-the-art submarine is to be constructed in steel and will offer a surface speed of 9 knots, 4 knots when submerged, and a range of 3,200 nautical miles. The Nautilus relies on the power of its batteries to navigate silently through the marine landscape, and these provide up to 55 hours of dive time on a single charge.
There’s accommodation onboard for up to 10 guests with a master suite and four guest cabins, all of which are ensuite and each benefitting from their own porthole picture-window. Separate quarters are provided for a crew of seven, all of whom will need to undergo the rigorous training provided for U-Boat Worx to work aboard the vessel.
A mezzanine observation lounge provides panoramic views whether above or below the water’s surface, while the main deck and foredeck lounges offer relaxed seating and AV/IT entertainment. The saloon is the central hub aboard the Nautilus and is intended as the main communal space for passengers to convene.
The Nautilus is presented to market with an interior by Officina Amare. Understandably, the ocean has been the source of inspiration for the interior styling and the arrangement centres around the 10 circular viewports, which have a diameter of almost 4m. The interior can be fully customised and alternative layouts are available. An air filtration system delivers fresh air to the interior and there’s full climate control.
Equipped with a sonar system and underwater cameras, the Nautilus will bring those onboard face-to-face encounters with marine life and provide complete underwater freedom in total safety.
“The whole concept is absolutely astonishing,” comments Niel Gow of Moravia Yachting, who have been appointed as the listing broker by U-Boat Worx. “But this isn’t pie-in-the-sky thinking, this is real-word capability, developed by the leaders in this field. The Nautilus submarine is priced at €37 million, which is competitive for its dual superyacht/submarine purpose, and I think we could see these becoming really popular. I can’t wait to who’s first to take the plunge!”
In light of tragic events seen earlier this year, when the OceanGate Titan submersible imploded during its 3,800-metre dive down to the wreck of the Titanic, a spotlight of scrutiny has naturally been cast on all other submersible ventures. The Nautilus is designed, engineered and built by the most competent and experienced company in this sector, and adheres to stringent safety standards to ensure structural integrity and stability even in challenging conditions. DNV, the Norwegian-German classification society, will be providing comprehensive oversight, spanning the engineering, fabrication, testing and operation of the Nautilus, ensuring the highest standards are upheld at every stage.
Diving to a depth of 150m is incredibly different to the deep-diving ocean exploration we saw in OceanGate’s circumstances. At this comparatively shallow depth, additional safety measures are easily employed, and the Nautilus offers an optional diver safety lockout, providing a reliable means for passengers and crew to escape from the Nautilus should an emergency situation arise.
For those who dare to venture into the deep, the Nautilus presents exceptional opportunity and a chance to achieve a number of world firsts. The Nautilus is not just a means of transportation, but is a true technological marvel built to take users on adventures around the world and under the waves.
