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BOUND FOR CONNECTICUT?
Versatile Mini-Sub's Builders See Future Possibilities In State
By Anthony Cronin , Day Business Editor Published on 9/13/2007
Groton
The S201 isn't your typical submarine.
Sure, it can dive deep and prowl under the seas for days without surfacing. But unlike the massive, nuclear-propelled U.S. Navy submarines that ply the world's waters, the S201 is tiny. It carries a crew of two, is only 30 feet in length and weighs a mere 10 tons — hardly the tonnage of a real submarine.
But size is no obstacle for the sort of work the Marian S201 can accomplish, and its Chester-based owners say its mini-sub is the perfect vehicle for an array of purposes: scientific research, academic pursuits, private-industry use and naval missions.
In fact, the Submergence Group LLC — maker of the S201, which arrived at the Shennecossett Yacht Club on Wednesday morning — is producing two more miniature boats and expects its niche in the market to blossom.
The sub's creators say they would eventually like to design and manufacture their vessels in Connecticut, home of the “Submarine Capital of the World†and a huge pool of submarine design-and-build talent.
“All the infrastructure is here,†said Brett Phaneuf, president of PROMARE, the sub's nonprofit research and development organization with offices in Houston and Chester. The Submergence Group serves as PROMARE's operational arm.
“The talent pool is huge here,†Phaneuf said. “Where else are you going to find that pool of talent and expertise?â€
Though the mini-subs are currently manufactured in England, Phaneuf said his organization is weighing possible manufacturing opportunities in this state as early as 2009.
Rob Simmons, the former congressman from the 2nd District and now the state's business advocate, said shifting operations to Connecticut makes sense because of the pool of submarine-technology talent and high-tech manufacturers.
“What better place is there to design and build mini-subs? This is already a major center for subsurface activities,†Simmons said. “I'm a believer there is a market for commercial submarines, and these guys have produced something that works well. These mini-subs have a maxi-future here.â€
Phaneuf said his organization is already talking with the Hartford-based United Technologies Corp. about the possibility of using its fuel-cell technologies on the mini-subs and said his organization is aware of high-tech battery manufacturer Yardney Technical Products based in Pawcatuck, which has manufactured lithium-ion batteries for other mini-sub projects.
PROMARE, an acronym for Promoting Marine Research and Exploration, and Submergence officials say they're appreciative of the help Simmons provided as a congressman in securing about $7 million in federal research and development funding for the ongoing project. They say the state's congressional delegation remains eager to help.
“This delegation has been fantastic,†Phaneuf said. “They really get submarines.â€
The S201, which costs between $3 million and $4 million to produce, was brought to the Shennecossett club to show off its wares to mariners and Submergence company officials from the Chester corporate operations. The sub spent two days earlier this week on display at the Naval Submarine Base in Groton.
After briefly removing the S201 from its secure hold inside a large container brought on the back of a flatbed, the sub was lowered into the water at the marina. Yacht club officials said it was the first time the organization hosted a submarine in its waters.
The S201 can dive to a depth of 1,000 feet and accommodate a two-person research team for up to 48 hours over a range of 225 nautical miles while submerged. It's also portable; it ships in a standard sea container and has already been used for research operations by the Navy since beginning its nautical service this spring.
Despite its modest size, the vessel is outfitted with sophisticated gear, including underwater communications, navigation systems and sonar systems. It also has a clear, durable bubble in its lower bow for viewing while under way under the seas.
Submergence Group officials said a second mini-sub, identical to the S201, is nearing completion and a larger, eight-person version should be finished next year.
http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=cf286b ... d40da43cd9
BOUND FOR CONNECTICUT?
Versatile Mini-Sub's Builders See Future Possibilities In State
By Anthony Cronin , Day Business Editor Published on 9/13/2007
Groton
The S201 isn't your typical submarine.
Sure, it can dive deep and prowl under the seas for days without surfacing. But unlike the massive, nuclear-propelled U.S. Navy submarines that ply the world's waters, the S201 is tiny. It carries a crew of two, is only 30 feet in length and weighs a mere 10 tons — hardly the tonnage of a real submarine.
But size is no obstacle for the sort of work the Marian S201 can accomplish, and its Chester-based owners say its mini-sub is the perfect vehicle for an array of purposes: scientific research, academic pursuits, private-industry use and naval missions.
In fact, the Submergence Group LLC — maker of the S201, which arrived at the Shennecossett Yacht Club on Wednesday morning — is producing two more miniature boats and expects its niche in the market to blossom.
The sub's creators say they would eventually like to design and manufacture their vessels in Connecticut, home of the “Submarine Capital of the World†and a huge pool of submarine design-and-build talent.
“All the infrastructure is here,†said Brett Phaneuf, president of PROMARE, the sub's nonprofit research and development organization with offices in Houston and Chester. The Submergence Group serves as PROMARE's operational arm.
“The talent pool is huge here,†Phaneuf said. “Where else are you going to find that pool of talent and expertise?â€
Though the mini-subs are currently manufactured in England, Phaneuf said his organization is weighing possible manufacturing opportunities in this state as early as 2009.
Rob Simmons, the former congressman from the 2nd District and now the state's business advocate, said shifting operations to Connecticut makes sense because of the pool of submarine-technology talent and high-tech manufacturers.
“What better place is there to design and build mini-subs? This is already a major center for subsurface activities,†Simmons said. “I'm a believer there is a market for commercial submarines, and these guys have produced something that works well. These mini-subs have a maxi-future here.â€
Phaneuf said his organization is already talking with the Hartford-based United Technologies Corp. about the possibility of using its fuel-cell technologies on the mini-subs and said his organization is aware of high-tech battery manufacturer Yardney Technical Products based in Pawcatuck, which has manufactured lithium-ion batteries for other mini-sub projects.
PROMARE, an acronym for Promoting Marine Research and Exploration, and Submergence officials say they're appreciative of the help Simmons provided as a congressman in securing about $7 million in federal research and development funding for the ongoing project. They say the state's congressional delegation remains eager to help.
“This delegation has been fantastic,†Phaneuf said. “They really get submarines.â€
The S201, which costs between $3 million and $4 million to produce, was brought to the Shennecossett club to show off its wares to mariners and Submergence company officials from the Chester corporate operations. The sub spent two days earlier this week on display at the Naval Submarine Base in Groton.
After briefly removing the S201 from its secure hold inside a large container brought on the back of a flatbed, the sub was lowered into the water at the marina. Yacht club officials said it was the first time the organization hosted a submarine in its waters.
The S201 can dive to a depth of 1,000 feet and accommodate a two-person research team for up to 48 hours over a range of 225 nautical miles while submerged. It's also portable; it ships in a standard sea container and has already been used for research operations by the Navy since beginning its nautical service this spring.
Despite its modest size, the vessel is outfitted with sophisticated gear, including underwater communications, navigation systems and sonar systems. It also has a clear, durable bubble in its lower bow for viewing while under way under the seas.
Submergence Group officials said a second mini-sub, identical to the S201, is nearing completion and a larger, eight-person version should be finished next year.
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