Different types and sizes of underwater vessels are used for various purposes, from defence to research and exploration. They can venture into the abysmal depths of the ocean and can stay put for hours to days. They are suitable for sustaining life inside or being unmanned. Moreover, they can be self-powered or operated by secondary modes of power.
A submarine is the most prominent type of underwater vehicle. It is a self-propelled large underwater craft of single or multiple large pressure vessels with a dedicated propulsion and supply system. However, apart from submarines, there are other underwater vehicles as well.
Types of Underwater Vehicles
Based on occupancy, underwater vehicles are classified into the following types.
- Submarines
- Submersibles
- Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs)
Submersibles are smaller underwater crafts used for various underwater operations. Most are ‘not self-propelled’ and fully or partially dependent on an external operator, facility, support vessel, or submarine. However, several submersibles are also self-propelled. They are mainly used for research and exploration, sometimes adventure and commercial purposes. As surprising as it may sound, these submersibles were the precursors to submarines as humans have explored the world under the oceans and seas for centuries.
Now, let us look at the phrase manned or unmanned. As explanatory, crewed vehicles are the ones that are capable of carrying one or many people on board. On the other hand, unmanned ones operate without human occupancy. This brings us to another declassification of submersibles as manned or unmanned.
The first manned submersible was built 400 years ago by a Dutch scientist in 1620. Since then, humankind has been experimenting with these vessels. The famous “Bushnell’s Turtle” in 1775 was the first revolutionary manned submersible design recorded in history. The hull was simply an oval-shaped pressure vessel carved out of wood and brass.
The ballasting operations for sinkage and flotation were carried out through small tanks operated by a primitive hand pump. Two simple hand-operated cranks propelled the vessel. Small windows provided a good view, while many instruments had radium luminescence coating for seeing them in the dark.
It was constructed to fit explosives in enemy ship hulls and is still considered a pioneer in the domain of underwater vehicles. Even modern, colossal, heavily armed nuclear-powered naval assault submarines are indebted to this breakthrough invention.
Modern manned submersibles are called Human Occupied Vehicles or HOVs. However, they have some unique sub-types like:
Deep-Submergence Vehicles (DSVs): They are intended for critical deep-sea operations, military, and research, carrying crew, and are self-propelled. They are designed to withstand titanic pressures and conditions at extreme depths. Moreover, they have very high endurance and range. The oldest…
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