• The development of the Mark series tourists submarines

Mark II

The Mark II, which was also called LS 250, was the first tourist submarine ever built in Finland. The design process started in 1986 and the first Mark II's were delivered to Saipan and Korea in 1987. Although the Mark II was a second generation tourist submarine, its technology was largely inherited from its predecessors - the offshore DLO's (Diving Lock-out Submarine used for the demanding service jobs in the offshore fields). DLO's were designed to be lifted after use onto the deck of its DSV (diving support vessel). Because a tourist submarine is supposed to stay in water year-round, many parts were simply not durable enough. Maintenance of the Mark IIs has been a demanding task, the main headache and cost factor being its DC electrical system.

Main characteristics

Length 18,3m
Beam 3,85m
Height OA 5,95m
Displacement 106 tons
DC electrical system
Speed forward 2 knots
Speed vertical 0,5 knots
Speed lateral 0,5 knots
Passengers 46
Crew 2
Rated depth. 75
Classification ABS +A1 MANNED SUBMERSIBLE

Mark III

The experience gained from the Mark II series improved our knowledge of the real requirements for a good tourist submarine. This led to a complete redesign of the Mark II. The key focus was on better reliability, easier maintenance and improved economy, so that the sub would better suit the year-round tourist operations. The fact that we increased the share of standardized European components successfully led to lower maintenance costs.

Mark III is an excellent submarine with a proven track record of reliable operations. However, the battery capacity of the Mark III was designed for
45-minute dives 7-10 per day, which proved to be too few at many resorts. It also prevented from increasing the important air conditioning capacity. That is why Mobimar begun the development of the Mark IV with larger batteries as early as 1992. Before we could sell this model, technology had developed so much that the new submarine generation was named Mark V.

Main characteristics
The main Mark III improvements were:

Completely new AC propulsion system, which drastically reduced both power consumption and need of maintenance

Very effective soft/hard ballast system, which allows the pilot to adjust the balance of the submarine, after all the passengers are seated, in only one minute.

The surfacing time from 20-30 meters to opening of the hatches is only 2 minutes.

New light and spacious interior
Integrated personal TV/video system with diving data screens
Wider viewports

Length 18,6m
Width 3,85m
Depth 3,1 m
Height OA 6,9 m
Displacement 106 tons
Thrusters 6*15 kW AC
Passengers 48
Crew 2+1
Rated depth 75 m
Classification ABS +A1 MANNED SUBMERSIBLE

Mark III Tourist Submarines:

Mark V

A modern tourist submarine has to be like a top quality taxi car: start reliably every morning, do its job at a minimum cost and carry passengers for thousands of kilometers without any hassle.

With this principle in mind Mobimar used a thorough rethinking when designing the Mark V submarine series. We had our tourist submarine know-how, which we had widened since 1985, as well as functioning ideas from the foremost tourist submarine operators. The Mark V also inherited all the good and well-proven qualities of our previous submarines.

We are proud of the outcome! The new Mark V has no compromises. Everything is designed for a profitable operation.