|
James, Safety Factor is a formal submarine term that is first and
always a design issue which in all references is never less than 1.5 times
operational depth and generally should be at least 2.0 for a personal
submersible. The safety factor makes allowances for not having a perfectly
formed hull, discontinuities in materials, transients in operations (especially
for those of you considering high speed ops), etc. It is first a design issue
that carries over into later dive operations. As far as the level of due diligence necessary for testing a
submersible capable of reaching 200 fsw as compared to one that dives to a
depth of 1000 fsw, the same level is required. A shallow water sub is designed
with materials suitable for that depth while a deeper diving sub uses stronger
materials. Both can have similar failure modes…either of the hulls and
fittings can rupture. The failures will be relative to depth. So the same
level of inspection is necessary for both hulls. I agree that there is more
effort required to build the deep diving sub compared to the shallow sub and it
is easier to recovery from a shallow water catastrophe. R/Jay Respectfully, Jay K. Jeffries Andros Is., Bahamas A skimmer afloat is but a submarine, so poorly built it will not
plunge. |