Explore the ocean floor without even getting wet in the latest compact semi-submarine from South Korean firm EGO.
The EGO-SE 450, or 'Penguin' has two floating hulls either side of a central cabin that sits below the water's edge.
The underwater cabin makes it possible to explore the ocean floor without getting wet because of three large windows on the front and side of the hull.
The vehicle is called a semi-submarine because all of the craft does not go under the water.
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| South Korean firm EGO has designed a compact semi-submarine called 'Penguin'. Its official name is the EGO-SE 450. Penguin has electric thrusters and two floating hulls. In the central cabin, that sits below the water's edge, is a joystick steering panel, two seats and windows so you can see underwater without any specialist diving equipment. The boat will be shown off at the Korea International Boat Show from 30 May to 2 June 2013 |
Submarines are called submersibles because they are fully submerged by water.
The Penguin is made up of two floating hulls on either side of a central cabin.
The central cabin sits below the water's surface.
To get to the cabin you walk down a small flight of stairs.
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| The central cabin sits below the water and has large windows on the front and both sides of the hull, giving slightly more than a 270-degree view of the ocean. The semi-submarine stays afloat when you are sat in this cabin because two floating hulls on either side keep the craft buoyant |
The cabin has two seats, an LCD screen and controls.
There are large screens at the front, and on both sides, of the central cabin so you can see what's happening underwater, while staying dry.
You use the joystick to steer the vessel.
There is also a remote control that lets you steer the Penguin when you are above water on the hulls.
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| To get to the cabin of the Penguin you climb down a small flight of stairs. On the left of the hull is the joystick controls and a small LCD screen. The screen is attached to a high-resolution camera that sits on the top hull and helps the driver to see where he's going. Large windows on three sides let passengers see underwater. The middle table can be used for drinks, or you can buy extra cup holders that fix to the walls |
The Penguin uses a propulsion system, powered by electric thrusters on either side of the hull.
When not in use, the thrusters can be folded into 'thruster houses'.
A high-resolution camera is mounted to the front of the cabin and is connected to the LCD screen inside the helm station.
This means that when you're steering the vessel from inside the cabin, you can still see what is around you and where you are going on the ocean's surface.
On the underside of the cabin a sonar system can check the depth of the water you are sailing in.
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| The Penguin is powered by a propulsion system, run by electric thrusters on both sides of the vessel. The thrusters can be adjusted to balance and control the rolling and pitching. They can also be stored in the 'thruster houses' when not in use. The Penguin can travel at up to four knots, for a minimum of five hours |
The system will then send an alarm if water is too shallow.
According to its specifications, the Penguin can run for a minimum of five hours and a maximum of eight when cruising at up to four knots.
Cruising speed is shown as two knots, and maximum speed with a half load is shown as three knots.
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| Floating hulls on both sides of the central cabin keep the Penguin buoyant. It has a trimaran structure and this puts the centre of gravity at the lower part of the cabin. The Penguin steering controls are in the central cabin, but it also has a remote control that lets owners steer the vessel when sat on top of the hulls |
No prices have been announced yet.
The boat is being showcased at the Korea International Boat Show from 30 May to 2 June 2013.
A luxury edition, or LE, is expected soon, although details of this are not known.
Source : dailymail
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