Submarines Add Depth to Superyacht Owner’s Experience at Sea
Photo: U-Boat Worx
Earlier this year, man made history by successfully sending civilians into space. And while this foray into the great unknown will go down as one of the more significant moments of our time, the truth is that there is much more to explore here on Earth, starting in our oceans.
Covering 75 percent of our planet, 95 percent of our oceans remains unexplored. These facts, combined with ever-improving technologies that enable deeper and longer underwater exploration, now create an opportunity for civilians to access the oceanic depths like never before. Supporting this is SHADOWCAT, which can house, transport and deploy submersibles around the world.
Charles Kohnen, of SEAmagine Hydrospace, a U.S.-based producer of submarines and submersibles, said: “Often our clients have already been SCUBA diving around the world and are seeking something new. With a submersible, the exact same diving locations provide completely new underwater opportunities by going deeper. This offers new ecosystems, life forms and sea mounts that simply are not accessible by diving.”
Photo: Shmulik Blum / SEAmagine
Roy Heijdra, of U-Boat Worx, a leader in manned submersibles, also predicts that in the future superyacht owners will embark on longer expeditions and that submersibles will factor heavily in the itinerary.
“When it comes to submarines, it's all about enhancing the yachting experience at sea,” added Robert Smith, director of YCTS, Ltd and co-founder of SHADOWCAT.
The down-low on incorporating subs aboard superyachts
Watch as SEAmagine delivers its Aurora submersible to SHADOWCAT Hodor
SHADOWCAT, an award-winning line of bespoke support yachts designed by Incat Crowther and YCTS Ltd., is inherently suited for submarine transport and operations. Thanks to their catamaran hull design, SHADOWCAT vessels are highly stable for launching and recovering heavy equipment, like submarines. Even with the associated payload capacity and weight, top speeds for SHADOWCAT yachts can still exceed those of comparable monohulls.
SHADOWCAT vessels have spacious decks to accommodate subs, the support equipment and the personnel needed to ensure safe operation. For those interested in adding a submarine to an existing superyacht, Smith said, “It would be almost impossible to install. But it’s relatively easy on a shadow vessel.”
From a design standpoint, SHADOWCAT starts by looking at a client’s holistic needs.
“We consider all the toys required and design a footprint to hold them all,” Smith said. “ShadowCat offer a custom design approach, which is something not all shadow yacht builders can provide, therefore customers must look at the next size support yacht to fit everything. With a bespoke SHADOWCAT, designs are tailored to match the exact desires of each customer, without the need to upsize.”
Because the SHADOWCAT platform is so stable and flexible, Smith said, “We have multiple options for equipment placement. It is similar to building blocks, where we look for the best location to meet the vessel’s overall performance requirements.”
“The SHADOWCATs are very accommodating to hold submersibles of various sizes and weights. Often, yachts have limited space or can’t launch heavy loads such as submersibles,” said Kohnen. “But the sub bay aboard the SHADOWCAT is ideal for submersibles. It offers a very high ceiling allowing the crew to easily enter and exit the vehicle from the to hatch. The bay has good storage space.”
A view of the spacious submersible bay aboard SHADOWCAT Hodor (SEAmagine)
Giving pleasure cruisers a deeper at-sea experience
A new concept emerging for 2022 and beyond is that of a SHADOWCAT designed to carry 30+ passenger submarines for the enjoyment of those who vacation aboard passenger vessels, such as cruise ships. Support yachts loaded with ready-to-deploy submersibles can shadow the mother vessel to the site of an alluring destination. From there, passengers easily transfer from the cruise ship to a SHADOWCAT’s sub and begin undersea exploration.
“This is a spectacular way for commercial passenger vessel operators to increase their offerings of ‘adventure cruises’ –cruises,’ a luxury vacation trend that is quickly gaining steam in popularity,” said Smith.
The Aurora submersible is launched from SHADOWCAT Hodor. (SEAmagine)
Submersibles for expeditions, charters and marine research vessels
“Another popular approach is in planning submarine-focused expedition trips. These expeditions employ the services of the manufacturer, like SEAmagine, and outside travel experts. We work together to determine the best dive locations for the sub for a given area,” said Kohnen.
In other instances, SHADOWCAT owners may charter a superyacht located in a far-away location. Prior to the charter, they will send their SHADOWCAT ahead, loaded with sub and other toys, to ensure adventures can begin upon arrival.
For those who go beyond recreation, SHADOWCAT vessels equipped with submarines can double as research vessels, which may provide certain tax advantages.
Photo: Rodolphe Holler / SEAmagine
Dive in to ocean exploration
SHADOWCATs have ample accommodation for dive centers that can hold equipment for SCUBA, snorkeling, free diving, spear fishing and the like.
“The amenities we can put in a SHADOWCAT are endless,” said Smith. “The only limitation is imagination.”
Heijdra said, “In the end, it is all about the experience you can have. Until you have been down in one of our submarines and seen the deep blue with your own eyes, it’s impossible to understand what an out-of-this-world experience it is.”
To learn more about integrating submersible technology aboard a shadow yacht, contact the experts at SHADOWCAT. We have the experience and partners to help you explore the world from a whole new perspective.
Photo: Shmulik Blum / SEAmagine
As the submarine provider for SHADOWCAT’s award-winning Hodor support yacht, SEAmagine offers many submersible models ranging in size. Read the full Q&A with Charles Kohnen, president of SEAmagine, to learn more about incorporating subs aboard SHADOWCATs.