As this sleek-looking watercraft with the Bond-like name Victa begins to descend into the murky subterranean abyss, you can almost hear the James Bond theme music. Six passengers and two crew members are clad head-to-toe in black scuba gear, complete with diving masks and regulators, and ready for their mission. This covert vessel — boat or submersible — transforms from surface to subsurface in less than two minutes. It descends, its interior filling with water, to a depth of 98 feet below the surface. The crew inside, breathing through regulators, will continue to navigate at eight knots until the target is located.
Will it be a concealed drug cache, an underwater weapons base, or just some coral with parrot fish swimming about? SubSea Craft is targeting a diverse audience with its futuristic vessel, which can traverse the surface of the water at 40 knots as a speedboat and descend to depths of 25 miles.
Victa, which was constructed in the south of England, is presently undergoing final testing, with sea trials scheduled to begin in January. The purchasers of the chameleon-like vessel could be special forces, tourist companies, or adventure-loving high-net-worth individuals. “You can enjoy gliding along with a pod of whales,” stated the CEO of the company, Scott Verney, to Robb Report. “Seeing them submerged is vastly superior to drifting alongside in a boat.”
Five years ago, a group of military veterans and underwater pilots came up with the concept for this endeavour. “It is the most sophisticated vessel of its kind,” says Verney. “The two-minute surface-to-subsurface transition time is revolutionary. Additionally, we have mastered fly-by-wire technology to reduce pilot workload.”
The technology of the vessel is impressive. It features a multiplex controller based on established CAN technologies. Its SCISYS-developed command system monitors all onboard systems, while the helm console displays performance, diagnostic, and personnel status at a glance.
The boat’s engine is a Seatek diesel with 725 horsepower coupled to Kamewa water nozzles. The underwater engines are 20-kilowatt electric motors that propel the vessel at 8 mph. Four thrusters allow it to hover at depth. Victa can travel 25 miles underwater. Its life-support system will provide eight divers with four hours of oxygen.
Ultimately, it appears that Victa’s “Mission Impossible” design is better suited for special operations than pleasure-boating, but thrill-seekers will adore the idea of speeding away from the dock and plunging under water to explore for hours. The base price will approximate $9 million.