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The Story of Atlantis Submarines
Dennis Hurd is the president of Atlantis Submarines
International, Inc., the company responsible for taking more
than 11 million passengers on undersea adventures aboard its 48
and 64 passenger submarines. A fleet larger than that of many
national navies, Atlantis subs are now found in Grand Cayman,
Barbados, St. Thomas, Aruba, Guam, Cozumel, and on the Hawaii
Islands of Hawaii, Maui and Oahu.
The Atlantis XIV, which operates off Waikiki Beach, Hawaii,
accommodates 64 passengers, spans more than 100 feet and is the
world’s largest passenger submarine. Hurd launched his first
battery-powered, nonpolluting Atlantis Submarine in December
1985 off the coast of the Cayman Islands. The high-tech nature
of the vessel, the air-conditioned, pressure-controlled cabin,
and the underwater beauty of the reef made the attraction an
instant hit. A design engineer who once captained a 20-ton
schooner from Nova Scotia to the Bahamas, Hurd came up with the
idea of recreational submarines during his tenure at
International Hydrodynamics (“Hyco”).
At the time, Hyco was the world leader in deep-sea manned
submersibles and the developer of submersibles that could tend
North Sea oil rigs to depths of 6,600 feet. In the 1970′s, Hurd
would often take clients down in these submarines to inspect
drilling sites. The thrill these executives got from subsea
exploration was enough to make him think seriously about
underwater tourism. During the slow winter months of 1977, Hurd
studied the possibility of taking small submersibles into the
Bahamas, but quickly discovered that a vehicle with capacity far
more than one or two passengers would be a more financially
viable option. From 1979-1983, Hurd ran his own worldwide
service company, Offshore Engineering Corporation, which
operated the small oil-industry subs. In 1983, he used the
profits from that successful venture to start what is now the
Atlantis Submarines organization.
Beginning with $250,000 in design and development money from
friends and business acquaintances, Hurd completed preliminary
drawings and market studies. He then went on to raise the
millions necessary to build Atlantis I. Atlantis I was based on
15 years prior experience in the research and commercial
submersible industry including extensive experience in both the
design and operational aspects of the technology. Atlantis I was
purpose built to carry 28 passenger on hour long trips to tour
coral reefs in tropical resort locations — a way for all people
to experience the underwater world previously the reserve of
scuba divers. Atlantis I would dive to 150 feet in air
conditioned comfort and with no pressure on the passengers.
Precise maneuvering would tour guests close to the reefs, viewed
from large windows which were customer designed, built and
tested by Atlantis.
In 1986, Atlantis I began the world’s first tourist submarine
operation in Grand Cayman. It was highly successful and
attracted world wide attention. Essentially a prototype,
improvements were made in the early stages and incorporated into
Atlantis II, which was displayed at the world exposition,
Expo86, in Vancouver. The Atlantis II journeyed directly from
the expo and reached Barbados in 1986. The official opening was
held on February 1987.
The design and operational experience gained with Atlantis I
and II led to the development of Atlantis III, a much larger, 48
passenger sub, which was launched in 1987 in St. Thomas, US
Virgin Islands. This was the first submarine to be certified by
the US Coast Guard. Atlantis started the School Children’s
Program; classroom work is followed by a dive, which provides
children with real exposure to the ocean environment, and an
awareness of its fragile nature.
Subsequent 48 passenger submarines were launched in Kona,
Maui, and Oahu on the Hawaiian Islands, and in Guam, Aruba, and
Mexico during this period. In 1994, a 64 passenger submarine was
designed and built for Oahu in Hawaii. At the time, Oahu has two
operating subs, but the large market demand led to this larger
third submarine. Of particular interest in Oahu is the
underwater submarine adventure. Atlantis built and deployed a
series of reef structures aimed at attracting and protecting
numerous different marine life into an area that was previously
scoured by a hurricane many years ago, removing the protective
coral cover for marine life.
In November 1998, Atlantis expanded its operations beyond the
submarine tours into semi-submersible and island tours.
Semi-subs provide passengers with a view of the ocean from large
windows placed opposite seats located below the ocean surface —
however, the semi-submarine does not submerge and dive.
Excellent viewing is had in shallow water reefs. Today,
semi-submarines (also know as Seaworld Explorer) are operated by
Atlantis in Grand Cayman, St. Martin, Aruba, and Curacao. During
this period Atlantis further expanded into other tours and
currently provides catamaran sailing, snorkel and a variety of
adventures in all its island operations.
Hurd has taken his idea through the whole spectrum of
challenges that are involved in designing, financing, and
building a unique vessel, having it approved by regulatory
authorities and insured, moving it into production, developing
operating systems, maintenance systems and training programs,
and establishing operating sites around the globe.
Last year the organization employed approximately 450 people,
operating 11 tourist submarines and several other tours at 11
locations around the world, and carried almost 1 million
passengers. Among Atlantis’ passengers are over 40,000 local
school children, whose classes participated in the company’s
“Living Classroom” program.
Quite a story!
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