Personal Submarines are all the rage and now there is a new towable sub coming to the marketplace—the SeaBird from AquaVenture Watercrafts. Controlled with a joystick, similar to a jet fighter, the craft operates within a large cone behind its towing vessel. The craft is able to perform rapid 360-degree rolls, travel straight up and dive down at steeper angles than most roller coasters can, but its dynamic stability system also allows for smooth and stable underwater touring. “Those of us that love the underwater world know how amazing it is in terms of stimulating the visual sense. Scuba can be very limiting—the goggles limit your field of view, the regulator can be distracting, you have to keep your ears clear and always cognizant of buoyancy and trapped gas issues,” says Rich Maurer, president of AquaVentures. “Driving SeaBird is like a drive in a beautiful park. And you can either take the Bentley down a smooth and straight road, or hop in the Ferrari and race around all the corners.” The company is seeking ABS classification to certify SeaBird to a maximum submerged speed of 25 mph. One of the draws of Seabird is that the lack of an onboard propulsion system means this submersible will carry a far less expensive price tag than similarly performing subs; and always being tethered to the surface renders SeaBird safer. The Seabird will be available summer 2013 with an estimated retail price between $220,000 and $290,000, depending upon model.

For more information, see aqvwc.com