Tenders & Toys 2024

The true magic of SEAmagine’s latest Aurora submersibles unfolds as the
dive commences. As the clear blue water envelops everyone, the window
appears to vanish completely once submerged. Passengers extend their
arms and hands, attempting to discern the invisible boundary between the
cabin and the water. With such a spacious window in the Aurora model,
individuals can fully extend their arms in front of them without touching
anything. In fact, most passengers can stand upright in the cabin without
their heads touching the window.
Another remarkable feature is the beautifully serene and quiet interior of
the cabin, even as the pilot guides the sub’s propulsion system to deeper
waters. The Auroras boast powerful propulsion thrusters that operate without
gearboxes, ensuring there is no loud pitching noise from the motors that
could startle sea life or create an annoying hum inside the sub. To further
enhance the peaceful atmosphere within the cabin, SEAmagine’s interior
design prioritised a quiet air conditioning system and fans, contributing to
the tranquil environment. SEAmagine considers this quietness an essential
feature of its submersible designs, allowing passengers to discuss and hear
each other undisturbed. They can even enjoy music from the interior sound
system while exploring the underwater world.
SEAmagine’s Aurora submersibles not only offer exceptional experiences
to its passengers they are also designed and built to the highest industry
safety standards.
For SEAmagine, quality and safety are always top priorities. “Our dedication
extends to all aspects involved in the fabrication of our submersibles. Starting
with effective designs, we use superior materials ideal for the harsh marine
environment, and we apply detailed workmanship on the fabrication of each
submersible,” said SEAmagine’s Ian Sheard, a co-founder and director of
engineering.
All SEAmagine submersibles are purpose-built for simplicity and with
redundancies in place. Each sub features independently operated manual
systems, including the ballasts, batteries and propulsion. This means no central
“brain” controlling everything on board – an intentional design decision that
reduces risk of systemic failure. Double monitoring systems, such as the
one controlling the cabin’s oxygen levels, ensure the wellbeing of guests.
From the grade of stainless steel to the acrylic viewing windows, thrusters,
batteries and cables, all parts and equipment on board are carefully selected
and many are third-party tested. “When selecting materials, we don’t just
consider their immediate use,” explained Sheard. “We consider how each
piece helps the long-term maintenance, performance and life cycle of the
sub, as well as how they will stand up to regular inspections.”
When it comes to certifications for quality and safety, SEAmagine leads the
industry. The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) performs a design review
of each sub and approves all materials used, including batteries, which are
certified to 6,000msw (19,685 fsw). It provides approval for the submersible
testing plans and analysis, and inspects the final product, approves the
pressure tests and oversees sea trials. “We put so much effort into quality
and safety because we care about our customers like family, and because
we have pride in the experiences we make possible,” said Sheard.
The latest Aurora-90 and Aurora-100 series from SEAmagine represent
the culmination of the company’s unparalleled experience in designing
and constructing submersibles. These SEAmagine subs have a dry weight
between 9,000 kg and 12,000Kg, respectively, and can be semi-customised
with unique interior configurations, different depth ratings, or with single
or multiple hoist points depending the yacht’s requirements. Alongside
delivering exceptional underwater experiences to passengers, these models
are engineered to be practical, robust, and reliable - ready for action anytime,
anywhere.
SEAmagine has a proven history of providing outstanding international
technical support to yacht owners and captains for its submersibles.
80 | TENDERS & TOYS | ONBOARD