Necker Nymph
The Necker Nymph is a submersible vehicle operated by Virgin Aquatic[1] from the 32-metre yacht Necker Belle,[2] which is based at the Virgin Limited Edition resort Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands.[3]
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Necker Nymph |
| Owner: | Virgin Limited Edition |
| Operator: | Virgin Oceanic |
| Builder: | Hawkes Ocean Technologies |
| Cost: | £415,000 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | DeepFlight Merlin |
| Displacement: | 750kg |
| Length: | 4.6m |
| Beam: | 3.0m |
| Capacity: | 3 |
| Crew: | 1 |
The Necker Nymph is the initial example of the DeepFlight Merlin class of positively-buoyant open-cockpit wet subs manufactured by Hawkes Ocean Technologies.[4] It relies on hydrodynamic forces for anti-lift force. It is 4.5 metres long, capable of 360-degree "hydrobatic" maneuvers, can dive up to 40 metres underwater, and seats one pilot and two passengers in an open cockpit (necessitating wearing scuba gear).[5][6] Occupants have a "windscreen" to protect them from the water's slipstream.
References
- Time Magazine, "Virgin Founder Richard Branson", Dan Fletcher, 1 September 2009 (accessed 25 July 2010)
- SuperYachts.com, "Necker Nymph ‘Underwater Aircraft’ announced by Virgin Limited Edition" (accessed 25 July 2010)
- New York Daily News, "Richard Branson's latest toy? An underwater plane called 'Necker Nymph'", Catey Hill, Monday 1 February 2010 (accessed 25 July 2010)
- gizmag.com, "Necker Nymph: underwater flying becomes Virgin territory", Noel McKeegan, 21 January 2010 (accessed 25 July 2010)
- Jaunted.com, "Richard Branson Has a New Toy: An Airplane-like Submarine!", 2 February 2010 (accessed 25 July 2010)
- Forbes.com, "What billionaires do on summer vacations", Katie Evans, 16 June 2010 (accessed 25 July 2010)
External links
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