Necker Nymph

History
NameNecker Nymph
OwnerVirgin Limited Edition
OperatorVirgin Oceanic
BuilderHawkes Ocean Technologies
Cost£415,000
General characteristics
Class and typeDeepFlight Merlin
Displacement750 kg
Length4.6 m
Beam3.0 m
Capacity3
Crew1

The Necker Nymph is a submersible vehicle operated by Virgin Aquatic[1] from the 32-metre yacht Necker Belle,[2] which is based at the Virgin Limited Edition resort Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands.[3]

The Necker Nymph is the initial example of the DeepFlight Merlin class of positively-buoyant open-cockpit wet subs manufactured by Hawkes Ocean Technologies.[4] It relies on hydrodynamic forces for anti-lift force. It is 4.5 metres long, capable of 360-degree "hydrobatic" manoeuvres, can dive up to 40 metres underwater, and seats one pilot and two passengers in an open cockpit (necessitating wearing scuba gear).[5][6] Occupants have a "windscreen" to protect them from the water's slipstream.[citation needed]

  1. ^ Time Magazine, "Virgin Founder Richard Branson", Dan Fletcher, 1 September 2009 (accessed 25 July 2010)
  2. ^ SuperYachts.com, "Necker Nymph 'Underwater Aircraft' announced by Virgin Limited Edition" (accessed 25 July 2010)
  3. ^ New York Daily News, "Richard Branson's latest toy? An underwater plane called 'Necker Nymph'", Catey Hill, Monday 1 February 2010 (accessed 25 July 2010)
  4. ^ gizmag.com, "Necker Nymph: underwater flying becomes Virgin territory", Noel McKeegan, 21 January 2010 (accessed 25 July 2010)
  5. ^ Jaunted.com, "Richard Branson Has a New Toy: An Airplane-like Submarine!", 2 February 2010 (accessed 25 July 2010)
  6. ^ Forbes.com, "What billionaires do on summer vacations"[usurped], Katie Evans, 16 June 2010 (accessed 25 July 2010)