Race to the bottom: Sales of £2m personal SUBMARINES double with mega-rich including Roman Abramovich making them the must-have superyacht add-on

  • Sales of mini-submarines are soaring as super-rich turn to deep sea exploration
  • Only 15 to 25 vessels are sold a year but the numbers have doubled in two years 
  • Super-rich are changing yachts from party boats to centres of scientific study 

    • By Jack Newman For Mailonline

    Published: | Updated:

    Sales of mini-submarines are soaring as they became the latest must-have toy for the super rich.

    Roman Abramovich and the emir of Abu Dhabi are among the early adopters of the deep-sea vessels which are increasingly seen descending to the ocean's depths beside luxury yachts.

    The three companies which make nearly all mini-submarines believe the market to be worth £75million a year.

    Sales of mini-submarines are soaring as they became the latest must-have toy for the super rich

    Sales of mini-submarines are soaring as they became the latest must-have toy for the super rich

    The three companies which make nearly all mini-submarines believe the market to be worth £75million a year

    The three companies which make nearly all mini-submarines believe the market to be worth £75million a year

    While this only translates to sales of 15 to 25 vessels, the numbers are expected to double in 2021 compared to 2019, according to The Times.

    James Bond could also drive sales after the advert for the upcoming No Time To Die featured a glider that transforms into a submarine.

    The demand has increased every year since the 1990s when the gadgets first came on to the market. 

    The super rich are now looking for more thrills and adventures for their yacht guests rather than lounging on deck, insiders say.

    Roman Abramovich and the emir of Abu Dhabi are among the early adopters of the deep-sea vessels

    Roman Abramovich and the emir of Abu Dhabi are among the early adopters of the deep-sea vessels

    James Bond could also drive sales after the advert for the upcoming No Time To Die featured a glider that transforms into a submarine

    James Bond could also drive sales after the advert for the upcoming No Time To Die featured a glider that transforms into a submarine

    The demand has increased every year since the 1990s when the gadgets first came on to the market

    The demand has increased every year since the 1990s when the gadgets first came on to the market

    Bruce Jones, chief executive of Triton in Florida says sales have increased by nearly a third this year alone during a global pandemic.

    He said: 'In the beginning you could go to a boat show and people would come by and laugh at you. They wouldn't give us the time of day, but now they're constantly beating on the door.'

    The boss added that he has up to five orders to close before the end of the year and aims to sell four every quarter. 

    Triton's most hi-tech mini-submarine, the DSV Limiting Factor, broke the record for the deepest sea dive last year.

    Bruce Jones, chief executive of Triton in Florida says sales have increased by nearly a third this year alone during a global pandemic

    Bruce Jones, chief executive of Triton in Florida says sales have increased by nearly a third this year alone during a global pandemic

    It descended 35,843ft to the bottom of Challenger Deep, the deepest known part of the ocean.

    Owners, which included the late Microsoft founder Paul Allen, are said to be eager to make discoveries with the vessels themselves.

    They are changing their yachts from party platforms to centres for scientific discovery, Mr Jones said.

    'My owners are typically heroes to their families and friends because you can present an experience that you can't get anywhere else,' he said.

    Seamagine's Aurora can carry up to eight people to a depth of 3,000ft as the super rich become interested in exploration

    Seamagine's Aurora can carry up to eight people to a depth of 3,000ft as the super rich become interested in exploration

    Owners, which included the late Microsoft founder Paul Allen, are said to be eager to make discoveries with the vessels themselves

    Owners, which included the late Microsoft founder Paul Allen, are said to be eager to make discoveries with the vessels themselves

    Some, including hedge fund billionaire Ray Dalio, are even inviting scientists on their trips to the deep.

    Roy Heijdra from Netherlands-based U-Boat Worx said owners are now wanting their yachts to be specifically designed for exploration rather than just leisure and pleasure. 

    He said ten vessels have been sold this year, costing up to £2.2million each. 

    The Nemo model, which costs £875,000 is 2.8m tall and can dive more than 300ft with two people on board. 

    Seamagine, which was founded in 1995, has vessels which carry up to eight people to a depth of 3,000ft.

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