Submarines Australasia dives into Milford Sound

Dunedin-based Submarines Australasia launched its commercial tourist submarine in Milford Sound today.

The launch followed the classification of Submarine Australasia's first deep-dive submarine, the Antipodes, by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), as an A1 Tourist Submersible. The Milford Sound operation has also been certified by the Maritime Safety Authority.

Managing director Philip Mladenov, who also plans to breed seahorses for export to the Asian market as an aphrodisiac, said the project had been three years in the planning.

"This is a very exciting milestone for the company.

"The Antipodes is one of just a handful of deep diving submarines in the world to be classed by ABS for tourism as well as research," Dr Mladenov said.

The Antipodes carries four passengers per dive. Submarines Australasia will operate four dives daily this month, increasing to seven to meet expected demand in the New Year.

Dr Mladenov said dives would be to about 100 metres, more than three times as deep as most scuba divers can go.

Submarine Australasia alsohas resource consents to operate submarines on Lake Wakatipu from Queenstown, expected to start in 2003.

- NZPA