Dan
I think it is like most things it appeals to some and not
others. I was suggesting why it would appeal to me personally. If nothing else
its fun to enjoy the idea and bounce ideas off each other.
Steve P
-----Original Message-----
From:
owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org
[mailto:owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org] On Behalf Of Dan H.
Sent: Sunday, 3 September 2006 11:20 PM
To:
personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Drift
dives
I
agree. What you describe sounds interesting. But SCUBA
drifting and drifting in a sub aren't the same thing. For a few
thousand dollars you can purchase the gear and SCUBA drift. Or rent the
gear for a few hundred and do the same. A drift sub, or any kind of sub,
is that investment and much much more.
If
your SCUBA diving you can climb back in the boat when your running low on air
and speed your way back to port when you through diving. If your in a
tank floating in the deep everything is more complicated.
Getting to and from port, dealing with breathing air issues and even just
stretching your legs.
If
a person is going to build a PSUB, (note, Personal sub, not a major sub
for scientific current research) It's foolish no to add the amenities to be
able to maneuver it. At least to be able to maneuver as a scuba
diver would maneuver himself with a flick of his wrist or a kick of his
feet.
It
may be interesting to be floating in a fog and have things to see come
your way, but it's far more interesting to be able to seek out those
interesting things wherever they may be.
Not
knowing where you will end up, surfacing and finding that you drifted in a
different direction and out of contact with your surface craft doesn't
appeal to most. Drifted into the path of oncoming traffic or up against
rocks and having no way to get away, other then dive out and swim, is even
less appealing.
If
your tethered on a line from a boat you wouldn't get lost but there a numerous
hazards for entanglement. If your SCUBA diving you just swim to the side
or let go and swim up to avoid hazards. Not that easy drifting in a
tank.
If
your going to build an hull and get into it, you'll want to have control over
it's movement. If you want to drift, you can do that in a powered sub
also. Heck, most of the time in mine I am drifting, but when I want
to move under power I can.
-----
Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, September
01, 2006 8:03 PM
Subject:
RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Drift dives
Dan and Brian
I beg to differ I think there
‘are’ compelling reasons to do it!
Try a blue water drift dive (scuba)
hanging on a rope about 15 metres blow the boat if you ever get the chance. It
can be one of the best diving experiences you can have. Part of the attraction
is that there are no perspectives and it can be quite thrilling when literally
out of the blue you find yourself being visited by the likes of a large sail
fish or Minke whale.
The other aspect that would appeal to me
is you don’t know where you will end up! Add to this the sense of
adventure participating, enjoyment of constructing and designing such a vehicle
and the list of compelling reasons is starting to grow.
Regards
Steve P
-----Original Message-----
From:
owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org
[mailto:owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org] On Behalf Of Brian Cox
Sent: Saturday, 2 September 2006 7:23 AM
To:
personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Drift
dives
You are right, there is really not very many compelling reasons to do it.
For all the effort that you would put into making such a vessel you might as
well build a sub. If you used it as an underwater habitat and you also
had a sub then I could see it having a purpose. The only way you could
move it around would be to drag it though the water with a boat. Or you
could wait until winter when the currents reverse and then travel the opposite
direction. I tried posting a picture of a model of a "drift"
sub but I think I screwed up on the correct address. I'll try to post on
the the moki and post a link.
----- Original
Message -----
Sent: Friday, September 01, 2006 04:56
Subject: Re:
[PSUBS-MAILIST] Drift dives
If your floating
anywhere other then in sight of the bottom or on the surface, there's nothing
to see. If you can't see anything it's not very interesting.
How are you going
to know where the best current is with no reference to where your going? In
a balloon you can use visual or GPS. Other the a compass heading, you
really won't know where you are unless you surface to locate your position.
Why drift aimlessly
and what are you going to do when you've had enough if you have no thrusters or
a surface ship capable of lifting you out and carrying you back.
Maybe I'm missing
something, Dan H.
----- Original
Message -----
Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2006 10:20 PM
Subject: Re:
[PSUBS-MAILIST] Drift dives
I was thinking
something like a sphere with windows attached to another sphere below it,
use the sphere below as a ballast control so you can go up and down to various
depths and find where the best current is.
----- Original
Message -----
Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2006 13:41
Subject:
[PSUBS-MAILIST] Drift dives
Brian Cox wrote:
It seems to me it is a whole lot more interesting in "inner space"
than in outer space. I've thought of doing a short drift gondola type sub
with our current that is off our coast here. The current runs about 2 to
4 knots.
What do you mean by "short drift gondola
type"? The image that appears in my mind sounds like something that
could be a great way to spend time.
M