ResortSub
3
Person
Wet
Submersible
Key Submarine Specifications
ResortSub
40 metres metres
2
1
3.35m metres
1.83m metres
0.8 tonnes tonnes
POA
The ResortSub is the commercial tourism variant of the SportSub III platform — a three-person ambient-pressure wet submersible purpose-built for resort operators who want to deliver a genuine underwater experience without the infrastructure demands of a full one-atmosphere submarine. Configured to carry one pilot plus two paying passengers, it represents one of the most accessible and operationally straightforward commercial submarine products available on the market today.
Unlike one-atmosphere passenger submarines, the ResortSub operates at ambient pressure, meaning occupants breathe from onboard air supply systems — scuba regulators are provided for all occupants, and the exit port remains open at all times to allow trained divers to enter and exit during the dive. Non-divers travel comfortably as passengers, making the ResortSub genuinely accessible to a broad visitor demographic. The hand-laid fiberglass hull is engineered for durability and low maintenance, with stainless steel and engineered plastics used for mechanical components throughout.
The unit available for sale has completed only four dives before being placed in storage. It is presented in excellent condition and is dive ready for immediate operational deployment. The ResortSub carries the largest battery capacity in the SportSub model range, designed expressly to maximise the number of dives achievable between charges — a critical operational consideration for resort environments where throughput and scheduling consistency directly affect revenue generation.
Standard equipment includes Auto-Depth Control with Auto-Hover, fly-by-wire joystick control, integrated sonar, electronic buoyancy control, a computerised multi-tissue dive monitor, and a comprehensive electrical systems alarm package. A pilot training course is available to purchasers at their local dive site. Serious buyers are invited to use the enquiry button on this page to contact the Silvercrest Submarines team directly for full technical documentation and to discuss operational deployment requirements.
Full Submarine Specifications
- 40 metres metres maximum operational depth
- Commercial tourism variant of the proven SportSub III platform — configured for pilot plus two passengers
- Maximum operating depth 40 metres (130ft) — suitable for the majority of coastal reef and wreck sites worldwide
- Ambient pressure wet submersible — non-divers travel as passengers without diving experience required
- Only four dives completed before storage — presented in excellent condition, dive ready for immediate deployment
- Largest battery capacity in the SportSub range (630Ah) — maximises dives between charges for resort throughput
- Auto-Depth Control with Auto-Hover — reduces pilot workload and improves passenger experience consistency
- Fly-by-wire joystick control system with computer-controlled Auto-Hover
- Integrated sonar with 200ft range (forward or downward) — supports site navigation and survey use
- 4 thrusters: 2 × port/starboard + 2 × vertical — full three-axis manoeuvring capability
- Hand-laid GRP fiberglass construction — proven marine hull material, low maintenance, corrosion resistant
- Five flat acrylic viewports (3 forward, 2 downward) plus 4 domed viewports (9-inch and 15-inch each side) — comprehensive passenger visibility
- Triple ballast tanks (forward, cockpit, aft) plus manual drop weights — layered buoyancy safety
- Computerised multi-tissue dive monitor with ascent rate alarm and decompression warning
- Comprehensive electrical systems monitor with fault alarms for thrusters, power module, and battery status
- Transportable by road trailer; towable offshore by small boat — minimal launch infrastructure required
- Pilot training course available; operational startup support from Silvercrest Submarines
Key Features of The Submarine
- Only four dives completed — essentially new-condition vehicle available for immediate deployment
- Commercial tourism configuration: pilot plus two paying passengers per dive
- 40 metre (130ft) maximum depth — covers the majority of reef, wreck, and kelp dive sites worldwide
- Largest battery capacity in the SportSub range (630Ah) — throughput-optimised for resort operations
- Auto-Depth Control and Auto-Hover — reduces pilot workload, improves passenger experience consistency
- Nine-viewport configuration — comprehensive passenger visibility in all directions
- Fly-by-wire joystick with computer-controlled four-axis thruster management
- Integrated 200ft sonar — site navigation and situational awareness at depth
- Road-towable, small-boat-launchable — no fixed infrastructure required
- Non-divers travel as passengers — broad visitor demographic without diving certification requirement
- Layered safety architecture: upward thrust, triple ballast tanks, drop weights, reserve air, auto-depth velocity limiter
- Computerised multi-tissue dive monitor with ascent rate and decompression alarms
- GRP fiberglass construction — corrosion resistant, low maintenance, field-repairable
- Pilot training available at buyer’s location; Silvercrest Submarines operational support included
- Immediate availability — no new-build lead time
Full ResortSub Specifications
- Passenger Capacity: 2 passengers
- Crew (Pilot): 1
- Maximum Operating Depth: 40 metres (130ft)
- Length: 3.35 metres (132 inches)
- Width: 1.83 metres (72 inches)
- Height: 1.66 metres (65 inches)
- Weight (Dry): 800kg (1,750lb)
- Hull Construction: Hand-laid fiberglass (GRP)
- Component Materials: Fiberglass, stainless steel, engineered plastics
- Pressure Type: Ambient pressure (wet submersible)
- System Voltage: 24 volts
- Battery Capacity: 630 Amp Hours
- Battery Charger: Automatic, 25A, marine grade
- Thrusters: 4 — 2 × port/starboard (amidships) + 2 × vertical
- Maximum Thrust per Thruster: 75lb
- Top Speed: 4 knots
- Thrust Control: Continuously variable, computer-controlled, independent forward/reverse/up/down
- Payload Capacity: 600lb (272kg) weight in water
- Primary Air Supply: 4 × scuba tanks (80 cu.ft each) — see Notes
- Reserve Air Supply: 1 × scuba tank (80 cu.ft)
- Ballast Tanks: 3 × independent (forward, cockpit, aft)
- Viewports: 5 × flat acrylic (3 forward, 2 downward); 4 × domed (9-inch and 15-inch each side)
- Sonar: 200ft range (forward or downward selectable)
- Depth Control: Auto-Depth with Auto-Hover (computer-controlled)
- Buoyancy Control: Electronic, selectable Auto/Off/Manual
- Dive Monitor: Computerised multi-level, multi-tissue (depth, dive time, remaining time, safe ceiling, ascent rate alarm, decompression warning)
- Air Flow Meter: Variable 0–150 CFH
- Compass: Liquid filled
- Condition: Excellent — only 4 dives completed before storage; dive ready
Key Features of The ResortSub
- Purpose-built commercial tourism configuration: pilot plus two paying passengers
- Only four dives on the clock — essentially new-condition vehicle available for immediate deployment
- Ambient pressure design: no pressure hull certification required, minimal regulatory burden versus one-atmosphere submarines
- Auto-Depth and Auto-Hover reduce pilot workload, enabling consistent passenger experiences
- Comprehensive 9-viewport configuration provides 360-degree passenger visibility at depth
- Triple ballast tanks plus upward thrust plus drop weights: industry-leading layered safety for commercial operations
- Electrical systems fault monitoring with specific alarm outputs for each thruster and power module
- Fly-by-wire joystick: intuitive control suitable for pilots transitioning from scuba diving backgrounds
- Largest battery capacity in the SportSub range — maximises dives per day for resort throughput
- Road-towable, boat-launchable: operational at any coastal site without fixed infrastructure
- Exit port permanently open: divers can enter/exit at depth; non-divers travel safely as passengers
- Air refill system compatible with cascade supply — tanks can be recharged with sub in water, reducing surface time
- Computerised multi-tissue dive monitor: professional decompression safety for commercial operations
- Pilot training available at buyer’s location; operational startup support from Silvercrest Submarines
A Purpose-Built Commercial Submarine Experience for Resort Operators
The ResortSub occupies a distinct and commercially important position in the small submarine market. It is not a research vessel, a luxury yacht tender, or a one-atmosphere passenger submarine — it is a product designed from the outset for the resort operator who wants to offer a credible, repeatable, revenue-generating underwater experience to guests who range from experienced divers to complete non-divers.
The design philosophy centres on maximum operational simplicity with minimum infrastructure requirement. Unlike one-atmosphere tourist submarines, which require purpose-built docking facilities, trained engineering crews, and complex certification regimes, the ResortSub can be transported to site on a road trailer, launched from any suitable slipway or beach, and operated by a trained pilot with a diving background. The ambient pressure architecture keeps both the capital cost and the ongoing regulatory overhead substantially lower than pressure-hull alternatives, whilst still delivering the core product: passengers experiencing genuine underwater travel at depth.
The commercial configuration — one pilot, two passengers — allows the operator to price each dive as a premium activity. With dive durations governed by air supply and dive table limits, a well-run operation can deliver multiple sessions per day from a single unit, with revenue per session determined by the local market and activity pricing strategy. The large battery capacity relative to the rest of the SportSub range is specifically engineered to support this throughput model, ensuring recharging does not become a bottleneck during peak operating periods.
The specific unit available for sale has completed four dives before being placed in storage and is presented in excellent, dive-ready condition. For resort developers, activity operators, and dive businesses seeking to add a submarine experience to their offering without the capital commitment of a full passenger submarine programme, this represents a rare opportunity to acquire an essentially new-condition commercial submersible at a fraction of new-build cost. Serious operators are invited to contact the Silvercrest Submarines team using the enquiry button on this page — please include details of your intended site and operational context so we can provide the most relevant technical and operational guidance.
Design and Construction
The ResortSub is constructed from hand-laid fiberglass (GRP), the same hull material used throughout the SportSub range and proven in marine environments across multiple deployments worldwide. GRP is well-established as the preferred material for small submersible construction where weight, corrosion resistance, and repairability are primary considerations. Structural components and fittings are specified in stainless steel and engineered plastics, providing long service life in saltwater environments without the maintenance demands associated with ferrous materials. At 800kg dry weight, the ResortSub sits within the lifting capacity of standard marine handling equipment and can be transported on a purpose-built road trailer behind a suitable vehicle.
Viewport Configuration
The ResortSub provides nine acrylic viewports in total, giving both pilot and passengers comprehensive underwater visibility. Five flat viewports are positioned to cover the forward arc (three viewports) and downward sightlines (two viewports), ensuring passengers have direct views of the seabed and any marine life below the vessel during transit. Four domed viewports — two 9-inch and two 15-inch diameter — are positioned on each side of the hull, providing lateral viewing for all occupants. This nine-viewport configuration is a material improvement over entry-level wet submersibles and is directly comparable to the visibility standards offered by mid-range one-atmosphere tourist submarine products.
Propulsion and Power Systems
The ResortSub is powered by a 24-volt electrical system drawing from a 630Ah battery bank — the largest capacity in the SportSub product range. Four thrusters are fitted: two port/starboard units positioned amidships for forward, reverse, and turning control, and two vertical thrusters providing depth control and the upward thrust emergency ascent capability. Each thruster produces a maximum of 75lb of thrust, with continuously variable speed control operating independently in forward, reverse, up, and down axes under the fly-by-wire joystick system. Top speed is 4 knots. The battery charger is an automatic 25A marine-grade unit. The air refill system is compatible with cascade supply, allowing tanks to be recharged whilst the submersible remains in the water, reducing surface turnaround time between dives.
Air Supply and Life Support
Being an ambient-pressure wet submersible, the ResortSub’s life support system is built around onboard scuba-type air supply rather than sealed atmospheric control. The primary air supply consists of scuba tanks (see Notes for confirmed tank count and volume), with an independent reserve air system providing an additional safety margin. An air flow meter with variable range monitoring is fitted to the control panel alongside pressure gauges for both primary and reserve supplies. All occupants breathe from the onboard air supply via scuba regulators, and the exit port remains permanently open, ensuring that trained divers can enter or exit the vehicle at any point during the dive and that all occupants retain the option of free swimming ascent as an independent emergency procedure.
Control and Instrumentation Systems
The ResortSub’s control systems are centred on the fly-by-wire joystick, which manages all four thrusters through the computer-controlled drive system. Auto-Depth Control and Auto-Hover are fitted as standard, allowing the pilot to maintain a fixed depth without continuous manual correction — a significant practical advantage when guiding passenger attention to underwater features rather than managing trim. Electronic buoyancy control is selectable between automatic, manual, and off modes, providing flexibility across different site conditions. The integrated sonar provides a 200ft range in either downward or forward-looking configuration, supporting site navigation and situational awareness at depth.
The computerised multi-tissue dive monitor tracks nitrogen loading for all occupants, displaying current depth, elapsed dive time, remaining allowable time at depth, and safe ceiling information continuously. Ascent rate and decompression required alarms are active throughout the dive. A separate electrical systems monitor provides fault detection and alarm outputs for each individual thruster wiring circuit, power module, joystick module, and battery voltage — ensuring that any electrical fault is immediately identified and localised rather than presenting as a generic system failure.
Safety Systems
The ResortSub’s safety architecture is layered across multiple independent systems. Upward thrust from the two vertical thrusters provides a positive emergency ascent force independent of buoyancy systems. Electronic buoyancy control with manual override ensures that buoyancy management does not rely on a single point of failure. Three independent ballast tanks — forward, cockpit, and aft — allow progressive and controlled buoyancy adjustment throughout the dive profile. Manual drop weights provide a final independent positive buoyancy reserve. The reserve air system provides an independent breathing source separate from the primary supply. The Auto-Depth Control system limits the rate of depth change to 1ft/second in either direction, preventing uncontrolled ascent or descent events. The exit port is permanently open, ensuring all occupants retain free swimming ascent as an option at any point.
Market Applications
The ResortSub is designed for operators serving leisure and tourism markets where delivering an underwater experience to non-diving guests is the primary commercial objective. Coastal resorts, diving schools, marine parks, island tourism operators, and water sports centres represent the principal markets for this type of platform. The vehicle’s compact dimensions and road-towable format make it particularly well suited to seasonal or multi-site operators who need to deploy, relocate, or store the asset according to operational demand. At dive sites with established marine life interest — coral reefs, shipwrecks, kelp forests, or fish aggregation areas — the ResortSub delivers experiences that competing surface-based and snorkelling products cannot replicate.
Operational Requirements and Infrastructure
The ResortSub’s principal operational advantage over full passenger submarines is the near absence of fixed infrastructure requirements. The vessel can be launched from any suitable slipway, beach, or small boat facility and towed to the dive site. There is no requirement for a submarine pier, dedicated crane, or specialist shore power installation beyond a suitable 25A marine-grade charging supply. Crew requirements are minimal: a trained pilot is essential, and a surface safety operator or boat crew is recommended for commercial operations. Pilots transitioning from scuba diving backgrounds will find the vehicle’s control systems intuitive. A manufacturer training course is available to purchasers, conducted at the buyer’s local dive site.
Regulatory requirements for commercial operation of ambient-pressure wet submersibles vary by jurisdiction. Prospective operators are advised to consult with their local maritime authority early in the acquisition process. Silvercrest Submarines can provide guidance on the documentation and operational procedures typically required for commercial submarine activities based on experience with similar deployments in multiple markets.
Why Choose the ResortSub
The specific unit available represents an unusual opportunity: an essentially new-condition ResortSub — with only four dives completed — available for immediate sale and deployment. New manufacture lead times for comparable vehicles typically run to several months; this unit allows an operator to enter the market without delay. The ResortSub’s commercial configuration, throughput-optimised battery capacity, and comprehensive safety systems architecture make it a credible commercial product rather than a leisure toy. For operators who have assessed one-atmosphere passenger submarines and found the capital, infrastructure, and certification requirements prohibitive, the ResortSub offers a genuine commercial submarine experience with substantially lower barriers to entry.
Why Silvercrest Submarines
Silvercrest Submarines has operated submarines commercially for over 30 years, including two 10-passenger Mergo T-subs in the Indian Ocean, tourist submarine operations at Loch Ness, and the TAURUS DSRV across four continents. This direct operational experience — rather than simply brokering equipment — informs the advice we provide to prospective submarine operators. We understand the practical realities of running submarine experiences commercially: the scheduling, the safety protocols, the crew training requirements, and the revenue model variables that determine whether a submarine operation is sustainable. Buyers of the ResortSub benefit not just from the vehicle itself, but from access to that operational knowledge base throughout the acquisition and deployment process.
Next Steps for Interested Buyers
The ResortSub is available for immediate sale. Prospective buyers are welcome to discuss the vehicle’s condition, technical specification, and operational deployment requirements in detail before proceeding. A viewing and demonstration can be arranged for qualified buyers. Use the enquiry button on this page to contact the Silvercrest Submarines team directly — your message will include details of this listing so we can respond promptly with information relevant to your specific operational context. Price is on application.
This Submarine Is Ideal For:
Coastal and Island Resort Operators
Resort operators seeking to differentiate their activity offering with a genuine submarine experience will find the ResortSub directly matched to their requirements. The one-pilot, two-passenger configuration delivers premium individual guest experiences, and the vehicle’s simple logistics — road trailer transport, small-boat launch, standard charging supply — are compatible with the operational realities of most resort environments, including remote island and seasonal locations. With only four dives completed, the unit available represents near-new condition for an operator entering the submarine experience market for the first time.
Dive Schools and Scuba Operators
Established scuba diving operations looking to extend their product range into submarine experiences will find the ResortSub operationally intuitive. Pilots with scuba diving backgrounds adapt readily to the fly-by-wire joystick system, and the ambient-pressure architecture means the vehicle operates within a familiar diving context rather than requiring an entirely new operational framework. The ResortSub also allows dive schools to offer underwater experiences to guests who are not certified divers, broadening the potential customer base beyond the existing scuba market.
Marine Parks and Aquatic Attractions
Marine parks, aquariums with external dive sites, and managed marine reserves can deploy the ResortSub as a low-infrastructure guided underwater tour platform. The sonar and auto-depth systems support consistent tour routeing at defined depths, and the comprehensive viewport configuration ensures all passengers have clear sightlines to the marine environment throughout the experience. The vehicle’s zero-emission electric propulsion is a material advantage in environmentally sensitive marine park areas where noise and pollution controls apply.
Water Sports and Activity Centre Operators
Water sports centres and multi-activity leisure operators can add a submarine experience to their portfolio without the capital commitment of a full one-atmosphere passenger submarine. The ResortSub’s compact footprint and trailer transportability means it can share facilities with existing water sports equipment and be moved between sites as required. For operators running seasonal businesses, the ability to bring the vehicle ashore, store it on its trailer, and redeploy the following season is a significant practical advantage.
Private Buyers and Dive Enthusiasts
Private buyers with suitable coastal access — particularly those with existing scuba diving experience — represent a natural market for the ResortSub. The vehicle enables exploration of dive sites that are inaccessible or impractical for scuba diving alone, including sites at the outer edge of recreational dive depth limits where bottom time is restricted. The ability to carry a companion passenger without diving certification opens up the experience to partners, family members, and guests who would not otherwise be able to share the underwater environment. Pilot training is available, and the vehicle can be towed to and from dive sites on a standard road trailer.
Summary of Core Facts
- Only four dives completed — essentially new-condition vehicle available for immediate deployment
- Commercial tourism configuration: pilot plus two paying passengers per dive
- 40 metre (130ft) maximum depth — covers the majority of reef, wreck, and kelp dive sites worldwide
- Largest battery capacity in the SportSub range (630Ah) — throughput-optimised for resort operations
- Auto-Depth Control and Auto-Hover — reduces pilot workload, improves passenger experience consistency
- Nine-viewport configuration — comprehensive passenger visibility in all directions
- Fly-by-wire joystick with computer-controlled four-axis thruster management
- Integrated 200ft sonar — site navigation and situational awareness at depth
- Road-towable, small-boat-launchable — no fixed infrastructure required
- Non-divers travel as passengers — broad visitor demographic without diving certification requirement
- Layered safety architecture: upward thrust, triple ballast tanks, drop weights, reserve air, auto-depth velocity limiter
- Computerised multi-tissue dive monitor with ascent rate and decompression alarms
- GRP fiberglass construction — corrosion resistant, low maintenance, field-repairable
- Pilot training available at buyer’s location; Silvercrest Submarines operational support included
- Immediate availability — no new-build lead time
Additional Information
What is an Ambient Pressure Wet Submersible?
The ResortSub is an ambient-pressure wet submersible, meaning the interior is not pressurised to one atmosphere. Occupants breathe from scuba-type air supply systems whilst submerged, and the exit port remains permanently open — allowing trained scuba divers to enter and exit freely during the dive. Non-divers travel comfortably as passengers, breathing from the onboard air supply without needing scuba certification. This design approach keeps the hull construction simpler, the weight and dimensions compact, and the overall cost of ownership significantly lower than a full one-atmosphere passenger submarine. Dive duration is governed by the onboard air supply and dive table limits rather than battery endurance alone.
Resort Operations and Revenue Potential
The ResortSub is configured specifically for commercial resort operations. With a one-pilot, two-passenger configuration and dive durations of approximately three hours, a single ResortSub unit can deliver multiple paid experiences per day with minimal turnaround time between dives. The vessel’s compact dimensions allow it to be transported by road trailer to any coastal site and launched from a small boat slip or beach — no dedicated submarine pier or crane infrastructure is required. For resort operators considering submarine experiences as part of their activity portfolio, the ResortSub offers one of the lowest entry points in terms of both capital cost and operational infrastructure.
Safety Architecture
The ResortSub incorporates multiple layers of safety systems appropriate for commercial passenger operations. The Auto-Depth Control system limits the rate of depth change to 1ft/sec in either direction, preventing rapid ascent or descent events. Triple independent ballast tanks provide progressive buoyancy control, and the upward thrust capability of the vertical thrusters provides a positive emergency ascent force. Manual drop weights and a reserve air system are fitted as additional independent emergency systems. The exit port remains permanently open, ensuring occupants can always exit the vehicle and ascend independently. The computerised dive monitor tracks multi-tissue nitrogen loading, providing ascent rate and decompression alarms as standard.
Transport and Deployment
One of the ResortSub’s principal commercial advantages is its compact form factor and light weight. At 800kg dry, the vessel can be transported by road on a standard trailer towed by a suitable vehicle, and towed to offshore dive sites by a small boat. This eliminates the need for dedicated launch facilities or heavy lifting equipment, making deployment at remote resorts, island locations, or seasonal venues entirely practical. The fiberglass hull requires no antifouling maintenance beyond routine cleaning, and all mechanical components are specified in stainless steel and engineered plastics for corrosion resistance in marine environments.
Pilot Training and Operational Support
A pilot training course is available to purchasers, conducted at the buyer’s local dive site. Silvercrest Submarines can provide guidance on site assessment, operational procedures, and regulatory compliance for commercial submarine operations in the buyer’s jurisdiction. Prospective operators are encouraged to use the enquiry form on this page to discuss their specific site requirements, visitor throughput targets, and any regulatory considerations relevant to their market before committing to acquisition.
