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Dean. That's what I was thinking. My first "wet test" will be to set it in
the water and find out where the water line is. Then adjust the onboard weights
to get it to sink. The calculations will get me close, but some adjustment is
sure to be needed.
Then motor around in the harbor on the surface to check motor, rudder, and
plumbing systems. I'll probably need to take some close friends for a ride at
this point.
Next, hook it to the crane and try sinking it. ( YIKES!!! )
If it balances, and sinks like it should, then take it out to 20 feet and
sink it again.
Next, go to 50 feet, all the while still hooked to the crane. I've got
access to a nice big crane on a barge here in the harbor they use for moving the
sand dredge tubes around. Plenty of capacity to pull the sub up if a problem
develops.
Once the bugs are worked out, I'll send it down to 300 feet, and then 500
feet unmanned, and have sensors and hopefully a video feed looking at the
gages.
I won't have a crane for that, but will have a steel cable attached so if
it won't come up, or blows out something, I can get it back later. then let
it sit down there for a few hours and see what happens.
On the pre-dive check list, I want to develop an item by item list of each
valve, gage, switch, etc. that needs to be set, and then a "method of procedure"
describing each step as I take the sub down. Like Alec has, with all the safety
concerns and operational procedures listed so I don't make a stupid mistake and
end up upside down or something. Keep us informed on how it goes. Man! that's
got to be exciting! Good luck. Frank D.
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