Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] "Propane Tank" fatalities?

["Captain Nemo" <vulcania@interpac.net>]

----- Original Message -----
From: "pedro bedard" <pedro@pangea.ca>
To: "Psubs" <personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
Sent: Monday, April 03, 2000 6:18 PM
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] "Propane Tank" fatalities?


> Ok, most people don't trust the propane tank submarine.

Pedro, there are people building and operating submarines based on converted
vessels of one sort or another; the relative merits of this are dependent on
a lot of factors.  But what I (and I think Ray) mean is that the PSUBS group
would be irresponsible if it advised anyone to build a sub that does not
comply with ASME PVHO standards.  Yes, people are doing it; but that's all
highly experimental; and the prospective "shadetree sub builder" needs to
understand the risks he's dealing with.

 What is a
> suitable alternative?
> What do people recommend as a base for a simple, one person, submersible?
> Keep in mind that money is certainly an object so...
> Pedro
>
 Sorry, but submarines cost money to build, operate, and maintain.  I don't
see any way around that.  Even if a propane tank saves you a couple grand or
so on your pressure hull,  the rest of the components are going to cost you
a lot of money.  Even if you get good deals on materials and do all the work
yourself, we're still talking quite a few thousands of dollars here.

Submarines are complex vehicles that carry people through totally hostile
environments: generally, good is not cheap, and cheap is not good.

Pat