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Kerala to introduce tourist submarine soon
by Juhan Samuel

     Kochi (Kerala): After exploring the possibilities in the areas of Beach and Backwater tourism, the Government of Kerala is becoming more innovative The latest is first-ever submarine tourism; the project will soon become a reality in Kochi. Kerala State Inland Navigation Corporation (KINC) will come up with this exclusive tourist submarine, adding new feathers to its tourism potential. With this the tourists visiting Kochi will be able to have a glimpse of the varied colourful underwater flora and fauna. It will take a nominal amount of rupees 2,000 (about 45 dollars) per person for a 45 minutes unforgettable experience under seawater. '' This project will be a joint effort by the Kerala State Inland Navigation Corporation and the Pioneer Underwater Tours. Experts from the United Kingdom (UK) will be flown here to train Indians for this purpose. The UK-based Silvercast Submarines is building the vessel, costing approximately rupees 10 crore (about 2,186,276.85 dollars), for the company in Finland. There will be 10 dives, eight in the day and two after sunset. "This has the capacity of 24 passengers and two crew members. Initially, we plan to bring British officers to train us. They will be here with us for six months and our six submariners will be joining the fleet. They will be trained by the Britishers to operate the submarine," said K Bhaskaran, CEO, Pioneer Underwater Tours.

    The tourist submarine is expected to be launched in December after getting clearance from the Director General of Shipping. The KSINC would provide ferry and support boats to carry the passengers to the submarine, which will be anchored in the sea about seven nautical miles away from the coast. According to K N Sateesh, Managing Director, Kerala State Inland Navigation Corporation, "A registration process has to be furnished if the submarine has to be brought and operated here and we are getting delayed as we had planed to bring it in November. But now we will hopefully launching it by December. This has got 24 seats and will be taking around 8 to 10 dips in a day and to a maximum depth of 100 feet." Modern life-support systems, including oxygen facility and environmental control systems would also be available. There will be very high frequency radio communication system, through- water communications, underwater video and obstacle avoidance sonar systems too. The oxygen system is capable of supplying oxygen at the rate of 28 litres per hour per person. The capacity of the system is 72 hours in emergency operations.
-Nov 20, 2005

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