THE PROJECT

DOWNLOAD DOCUMENTATION

The catamaran will be a fully independent passenger unit. The unit will have a durable steel and aluminium construction. Its task will be to perform about three hour-long cruises with a maximum group of 36 passengers, covering a two-hour long slow manoeuvring at a maximum draft, e.g. near coral reef, to observe underwater flora and fauna, on the electric drive. A superstructure made of bent mineral GlassWave glass will be installed on the main deck.

The superstructure will be an attraction for passengers and will allow them to enjoy the views not only underwater (through underwater windows), but also above water level thanks to the spectacular dome made of bent glass.

With appropriate equipment, it is possible to organise night dives from the unit.

 
  • The use of hybrid propulsion, enhanced with a system of predicting electricity consumption, allows to intelligently manage the resources of accumulated electricity depending on shipping and atmospheric conditions.
  • Operating time of the unit on an electric drive – two hours, at sea level up to 4 on the Beaufort scale and optimal speed for observing the underwater world up to 2 knots.
  • The range of the unit not less than 50 nautical miles, including the distance from the port of refuge – 20 nautical miles.
  • The speed of the unit on internal combustion engines to reach the observation site, not less than 10 knots at sea level 4 on the Beaufort scale.
  • Four battery sets – 77.6 kWh each.
  • Two thrusters – 60 kW each.
  • Battery charging time – approx. 1 hour,including battery life – approx. 10 years.
  • Two diesel-powered generators with apower of approx. 360-420 kW
    (e.g. VOLVO PENTA D16)
 

THE ORIGINS



The initiator of the catamaran project is the company Proteh GlassDeep,
which has unique experience in the production of mineral underwater glass worldwide
(patent P.406990).

The GlassDeep® brand is a protected trademark
and is expected to revolutionise the window market of underwater,
floating and stationary objects, replacing the currently used soft acrylic
glass with tough, and thus scratch-resistant, mineral glass.

The creators of the GlassDeep® invention have transformed
many years of acquired experience into the GlassWave technology
of multi-curved bending (patent W.122034),
developed and implemented on an industrial scale.

SAFE UNDERWATER WINDOW

Safety
The multilayer construction of mineral glass window protects an underwater space even after damage to a few of its layers.
Note that the commonly used acrylic glass has only one layer and its damage completely destroys the window.

 

Higher durability
The use of mineral glass will decrease the thickness of an underwater window by a half (in comparison to acrylic glass) retaining the same required durability parameters. For example, an acrylic glass that resists the pressure of water on the depth of 10 m must be at least 300 mm thick. With mineral glass, the thickness of a window on the same depth will decrease to 150 mm and consequently reduce its weight and construction costs.

 

High abrasion resistance
Efficient cleaning of windows from microorganisms without scratching the surface of the glass (no tarnishing and no decrease of translucency).

 




THE IDEA

The underwater GlassDeep®  windows will be sealed with side covers when travelling to the observation area.

After reaching its destination, the covers will be raised, and the unit will submerge.