Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2004 09:05:45 -1000

[VBra676539@aol.com]

Rick,

ABS engineering studies used to run about $50,000 (for a new design) give or 
take a few bucks. I know that Capt. Kittredge ran his plans and calcs through 
the engineering staff at the Bureau about thirty years ago and got a tentative 
approval. This did not approve all subs built to the plans, but rather 
suggested that the plans and calcs themselves were sufficient to build an acceptable 
vehicle if built to strict standards. They (ABS) would argue a good bit of it 
today, as that study is very dated by current standards. I don't really know 
what they would charge you today for this service, but it would probably be 
like starting all over again.

Keep in mind, the plans approval is only the start of charges from them. You 
must get the initial approval first, then build to their standards, complete 
with quality control, pressure tests, weld inspections, x-rays and all the 
rest, plus whatever verifications their inspectors call for. It is complex, and 
expensive. Lloyd's of London has similar requirements but may, in fact, be 
somewhat easier to cope with. It's worth a call, in either case. These people love 
this stuff!!! Phil Nuytton might have time for an answer on this, and is on 
the board of directors, thus extremely well versed in the why, what, when, where 
and how of it. And you can always just dial the Houston number and ask a few 
questions. It never hurts, and there will be somebody there perfectly happy to 
talk to you about this.

Why do you want ABS certification? It's really only required if you are going 
to work commercially. If that's what you are planning, then you definitely 
need it for insurance, etc. But for your basic backyard baby, why bother? The 
K-350 is small, clunky and inefficient--it's cheap, and it is built like the 
proverbial anvil--and it is awesome great fun. If you build it to the highest 
standards, and operate it safely, then it will serve you very well indeed.

Beyond that, you're going to need more submarine. More power, more payload, 
more ROOM!!! If you are, indeed, going for certification, I think you'd be 
better off going to Mike Stahle at SST or somebody like that and have him design 
and build something to current standards. He guesstimated about $450,000 for a 
modern PC-14 type sub rated to 1800 feet or so and ABS certified.

Good luck,
Vance



************************************************************************
************************************************************************
************************************************************************
The personal submersibles mailing list complies with the US Federal
CAN-SPAM Act of 2003.  Your email address appears in our database
because either you, or someone you know, requested you receive messages
from our organization.

If you want to be removed from this mailing list simply click on the
link below or send a blank email message to:
	removeme-personal_submersibles@psubs.org

Removal of your email address from this mailing list occurs by an
automated process and should be complete within five minutes of receipt
of your request.

mailto:removeme-personal_submersibles@psubs.org

PSUBS.ORG
PO Box 311
Weare, NH  03281
603-529-1100
************************************************************************
************************************************************************
************************************************************************