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Don,
The "Hull Calculator" can be found as
follows:
Go to www.psubs.org
Click on "Design and
Fabrication"
Click on "Design Tools"
Click on "Calculators"
Information regarding regulations in the USA
and how they affect you are available as follows:
Go to www.psubs.org
Click on "Design and
Fabrication"
Click on "Standards/Guidelines"
The hull calculator is not in the ABS
documents, but was derived from the information located within them. The
formulas were taken from the documents and written into a spreadsheet format to
help people understand the capabilities of their design.
In regards to regulations and requirements
for regulating entities, building a sub for personal use will be nothing like
your requirements for Langley. ABS/ASME certification is required only if
you are building a submersible to carry passengers for hire. If you are
building a submersible for recreational use, the US Govt doesn't care whether
you use cardboard for the hull, or 3 inch tungsten carbide. If you want to
build it according to ABS standards, the US Govt doesn't care. If you want
to "wing-it" and just dream up your own standards, the US Govt doesn't
care. Once you cross the boundary of
recreational use and carry a passenger for hire (federal law defines this...see
the link above), now the US Govt cares what materials you used, your
construction methods, your components, and your piloting skills.
PSUBS.ORG on the other hand, always cares
about how subs are built and operated, even recreational ones. It is our
official and stated policy that submersibles should always be built to ABS/ASME
standards. We understand the cost for certification is usually well above
what a home-builder can afford, and therefore do not insist on such
certification. But we do recommend you build to the ABS/ASME standards
whether using an existing design or making your own design.
When it comes to operation of your sub, in
general, in the US, the Coast Guard rules the coastline and inland
waterways. They have different rules as well depending upon the size of
your vessel and it's intended use. Since the vast majority of submersibles
we see built are 16 feet or smaller, and used for recreational purposes, your
sub is a simple boat in the eyes of the Coast Guard. I need to add their
rules to the "standards/guidelines" link, but for now you can view them at 2008
Convention headquarters at http://www.psubs.org/convention/2008
and then clicking on "Dive Operations".
One last thing, US Federal Law allows states
to come up with their own additional (or strictor) rules. We are not aware
of any states that have rules or regulations regarding submersibles, but you
should check with your own state government to be sure.
I hope that helps.
Jon
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