Check back often for the latest photos and news of the Hyper-Sub Fathom Prototype in action and on tour.

The Hyper-Sub prototype has made history after two successful months of in-water testing! The Fathom performed magnificently in a thorough battery of tests of all vessel systems, and the team is proud to have a fully-functional submarine. After over two months without leaving the water, the Fathom is on its way home for a refit of the bow in preparation for surface speed testing to occur in February. After the surface speed testing is complete, the vessel will prepare for its public debut and touring. Dates will be announced in the coming months.

Prototype testing highlights:

• 21 complete full-submersion dives.
• In each dive, the Fathom deployed from the dock under its surface propulsion power (880 hp) carrying up to 225 gallons of fuel, charging its own dive systems.
• Lake testing max. depth: 30 feet (approx.; future testing will exceed this depth).
• Lake testing total submerged time: 25 hours (approx.).
• Lake testing highest submerged speed: over 2.5 knots (approx.;future testing will exceed this speed).
• Lake testing longest dive: 1hr., 45 min. (2 passengers breathing only cabin air).
• Lake testing longest submerged distance traveled (in a single dive): 1.3 miles (approx.).
• Based on the testing performance data, the Fathom can achieve a submerged distance of over 34 miles with upgraded batteries.
• The "proof of concept" portion of the program is now complete.

The Fathom's twin 440hp engines power it on the surface.
Preparing for and commencing a dive.
Adjusting trim.
More pre-dive shots.
Attaining neutral buoyancy.
Submerged operation.
Interior of cabin during deep dive.
Safety crew monitoring ascent.
The sub mirrors off the surface during ascent.
Returning to dock.

Dive testing of the Fathom prototype is continuing throughout November. In these pictures, the hatch is under two to three feet of water, and the wing has submerged for the first time completely.

On November 13th, 2007 history was made with the first complete dive test of the Fathom prototype! The test lasted around 45 minutes and carried pilot Reynolds Marion and engineer Scott Shamblin under the waters of Kingsley Lake. The entire pressure hull and the hatch were submerged for the first time, and the ballast completely filled. All systems performed well. The Fathom prototype will remain at the lake for continued testing for the next few weeks.

The hatch closes in anticipation of the first dive.
The Fathom's bow dips under.
Air from the ballast system creates a bubble fountain as it purges.
The pressure hull is fully under.
Pilot Reynolds Marion.	Engineer Scott Shamblin.
The view from the pilot's seat.
Team member / safety diver Gene Mock gives the thumbs up to the crew from outside.
The Fathom from outside.
	Team member / safety diver Bob Higgins waves to the crew.
	The team celebrates a successful dive.

The Fathom prototype returned to the waters of Kingsley Lake, Florida in September to continue the testing of the dive systems. Several partial submersion tests were conducted in shallow water for safety, with the ballast system completely filling for the first time. Through the course of this testing, the prototype made history when it met its primary goal of proving the patented ballasting and air compensation concepts, but a failure of a faulty hydraulic component delayed the complete submersion of the boat. The prototype returned to the shop for upgrades to the hydraulic system and minor tweaks to the ballast system piping. A return to the water to fully dive the boat and test the submerged propulsion and control systems is expected within 2 months.

Preparing for the partial submersion test.
	With the ballast system completely filled, the prototype rests on the bottom of the lake, its decks awash.
At home beneath the waves.	The bilge system purges the hull during the refloating process.
Fully purged, the sub returns to boat mode on the surface.

The initial launch and surface testing of the Fathom prototype took place in Kingsley Lake, Florida during the months of July and August, 2007. The Fathom drew a crowd every time it made an appearance on the lake, and the initial test results were overwhelmingly positive, including a successful partial submersion test. The Fathom returned to headquarters for adjustments in preparation for further testing.

The Hyper-Sub prototype prepares for transport to Kingsley Lake, Florida for its initial test runs.	Awaiting its first trip down the ramp, the stern is visible along with its twin out drives and surface-piercing props, the main dive thrusters, and the rear thruster tunnel.
The Hyper-Sub prototype enters the water under its own power for the first time.	The Hyper-Sub prototype in action on Kingsley Lake, Florida.
The prototype throws a wake during initial surface trials.	A sunny day for testing on Kingsley Lake.
The build team relaxes on board after the first long day of surface testing.