High demand for submarine charter

Submarine charter may still be a new concept, with the service first launched by Triton Submarines at FLIBS 2012, but it’s been quick to catch on.
 
“All we’ve done is the boat show and [advertised on our] website and we’re getting a lot of interest. It’s been worldwide; Australia, US, Russia,” said Marc Deppe, VP sales and marketing at Triton.
 
The company is now faced with the unusual problem of having more demand than can  be supplied with current resources.
 
“Immediately upon launch (at FLIBS) off the subs went. We didn’t have any inventory to make available and we actually lost a potential book of business because we didn’t have the subs available.”
 
The challenge now is capitalising on this demand. A fleet of charter subs would be the ideal, explained Deppe, but, “these are not inexpensive vessels; to fund a fleet of charter vessels is not practical.”



The company has instead taken the route of approaching owners, who then buy the sub and make it available for charter. For example, Michael Schutte CEO of Brilliant Boats is expecting delivery of a Triton 3300 this year, which will then be available for charter, and Triton hopes more owners will follow in his wake.
 
“It’s exciting for us, it’s our most popular product and, from a charter perspective, it’s a great vessel as you have the pilot plus two, so people can dive together and have that amazing transparent hull experience.”
 
A 3300 Triton was launched off the coast of Japan aboard 56m Alucia to capture rare footage of the fabled giant squid at depths ranging from 1500 to 3000 feet, for the Discovery channel. The footage will be broadcast on Sunday 27 January, 8pm ET/PT on and represents the first video images of the creature which can grow up to 13m.



It's easy to see why submarine charter has a broad appeal in the age of the adventurous yacht owner, but practicalities may mean the business concept is a slow burner.

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