Silent-Yachts upped the ante on submersible tech for superyachts in January when it announced that the new Silent 120 Explorer will have solar power to recharge a U-Boat Worx Nemo sub, along with an Xcraft XP4 aircraft—what the builder calls “two of the latest must-have toys for remote voyaging.”
The first Silent 120 Explorer is under construction now, with delivery expected in 2024. “We build catamarans, which means more beam and more space,” says company founder and CEO Michael Köhler. “We also build our boats with solar power and electric propulsion, and that means we don’t have to give a lot of space to an engine room, which means we gain room for things like a gym or extra tender storage.”
News of the Silent 120 Explorer comes at a time when submersible companies continue to announce news of their own. U-Boat Worx says it’s planning to deliver 15 Nemo submersibles this year from the Netherlands. One- and two-seater models are available, priced at about $593,000 and $642,000, respectively. The company’s goal is to have 1,000 submarines in operation by 2030.
Triton Submersibles, meanwhile, has welcomed Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio and Academy Award-winning filmmaker James Cameron to the company. Dalio is the founder of OceanX, which helps scientists explore the oceans. Cameron, in addition to having made blockbuster films such as Titanic and Avatar, is an underwater explorer who has visited some of the world’s most challenging underwater spots.
“More than 80 percent of our oceans are unexplored,” Cameron said. “There are mysteries to solve, new discoveries to make and critical knowledge to acquire.”
U-Boat Worx Nemo: A Truly Personal Submersible
The Nemo from U-Boat Worx is available in one- or two-person configurations. It can dive to 330 feet at a speed of up to 3 knots underwater, and it weighs about 5,500 pounds, making it an option for superyacht owners who want to explore below recreational scuba depths without engaging in more intensive underwater expeditions. The helm is set up so a trained pilot can temporarily hand over controls to anyone.
