XPC15

In 1994 Marlin Submarines were contracted to manage the design and construction of a small submersible to be operated from a large luxury yacht.

The customer and primary contractor had already agreed on the format of the submarine which was to be based on a section of an ex oil industry submersible, the then PC 15.

The hull was to be fitted with a full diameter hemispherical window at each end of the submarine and new soft tanks, variable ballast system and exostructure, as well as a completely re-engineered interior. The management team designed the modifications, presented them to ABS for approval and assisted in the construction which was completed in 1995.

After 4 years on the yacht Mystere , The submarine was sold to a tourist submarine operator in New Zealand. MSubs has been again contracted to provide design modifications to fit external battery pods to increase endurance in its new role as a 4 passenger tourist submarine. The craft can take four passengers down to 285 metres.

The vessel, owned by Submarine Adventures and now named "Antipodes", was based for a period in Milford Sound in South West New Zealand working as a tourist submarine and is presently undergoing re-fit in Fort Lauderdale.