Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] drug-sub mania

[Marc de Piolenc <piolenc@archivale.com>]

I'm not sure about the need for an elaborate shakedown. It's clear from 
the design of at least one of the subs captured that an experienced 
designer had worked on it; it was essentially a miniaturized Type 
XXI/Whisky design. A drug carrier would not have the highly variable 
loading of a warship, and far fewer hull penetrations to give trouble, 
not to mention the absence of torpedo compensation tanks and other 
paraphernalia of a naval sub. Initial static trim dives could be 
conducted in the very shallow water near the estuaries where these 
things typically get built, where the boat could rest on the bottom with 
the snorkel still protruding if something went wrong and trim needed to 
be drastically adjusted. With trim accomplished, submersion in the open 
ocean could be carried out under full diesel power so the diving planes 
would have full control authority.

It's clear from the article linked to that they intended to proceed 
continuously at snorkel depth under IC engine power; they may not even 
have provided a storage battery and electric motors. This further 
simplifies design and eliminates a significant hazard from the battery, 
not to mention ensuring a continuous supply of fresh air and thus 
simplifying life support.

Of course, it's possible that others have been launched and have come to 
grief, but I don't think it's necessarily the case. After all, the more 
successful they are, the less likely they are to be seen. The fact that 
all the full-submersibles captured so far were under construction could 
mean either that this trend has been nipped in the bud, or that their 
sister boats are operating successfully.

Best,
Marc

On 2/16/2011 1:13 PM, irox wrote:
> Some more pictures of it here:
> http://www.boingboing.net/2011/02/14/100-ft-long-drug-smu.html
>
> This is the third real alleged drug running sub found and the second fiberglass one.
> None of which seem to have ever operated.  A real submarine is significantly more
> complex than a boat which runs with it's decks awash.



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