Here Is the World’s Lightest Submarine: Nemo From U-Boat Worx

In April this year, Dutch submersible maker U-Boat Worx announced their first series-produced submarine, the Nemo. U-Boat Worx has been in the business since 2005 but, until Nemo, they’ve only been making order-to-build toys for the rich. The Nemo is still a toy for the rich, make no mistake about it, but it will be mass-produced, with a limited array of customization options available.

Using some of the tech and the know-how from the Super Yacht Sub series and C-Researcher Series, U-Boat Worx set out to deliver a submersible that is light and compact as to not be an inconvenience in terms of transport or storage, but still reliable enough to deliver the expected performance. The Nemo is the lightest manned submarine in the world and it’s also very small, about the size of two jet skis side by side, so they delivered on that first count. U-Boat Worx says it will also deliver on the latter.

Weighing just 2,500 kg (5,510 pounds) and measuring only 155 cm (61 inches) in height, the Nemo can easily and safely be towed by an SUV. This is a first for any submersible. Its compact form allows storage in the tender garage of a yacht, but also on deck or on basically any other flat surface, without having to use a davit or a cradle. That’s another first right there.

Although very compact, the Nemo can comfortably seat two passengers in a glass bubble that offers breathtaking underwater views. The entire experience is crafted around the driver, the maker says, so the Manta controller allows the pilot to share driving responsibilities with the passenger. It can dive as deep as 100 meters (330 feet) and can reach underwater speeds of about 3 knots. Arguably, that latter feature is not that impressive, but it surely beats what you can do while scuba diving. Even more impressively, the Nemo comes with an 8-hour autonomy.

On-board tech includes pilot assist features, like auto-heading and auto-depth, and the Nemo also offers the possibility of remote control away from the yacht or shoreline. With every purchase of a Nemo submersible, owners will receive a 12-day training session at the U-Boat Worx Sub Center Curaçao facility. However, a certified pilot will have to be present while operating it, so if you’re considering the purchase, you might as well think about getting the proper certification.

The Nemo comes with air conditioning and wireless underwater communications system, four spots and one floodlight as standard options. Additional options include a manipulator, extra lights, sonar and navigation package, and they will drive up the final price.

“The ultra-modern design, sharp lines, hydrodynamic form and optimal power to weight ratio, combine to create an instant classic,” U-Boat Worx says of its latest product. “The NEMO’s fine detailing – including transparent nosecones, octagonal thruster ducts, car-like stern, and a fully acrylic pressurized hull – create a submarine with personality and performance.”

This perfect combination of personality and performance, with a healthy serving of convenience, unlike anything else that’s been done before, comes with a price to match. Pricing for the standard version starts at €975,000, which is roughly $1.06 million at today’s exchange rate, excluding VAT.

As of the time of writing, U-Boat Worx is still taking pre-orders on the Nemo, saying that the submarine will go into production as soon as market demand is met. That is to say, in order to start mass-producing it, they first want to make sure there are enough buyers for all examples made. When this happens, the Nemo will also become the first ever production-series submarine in the world.

This sounds like the perfect occasion to get in on this exclusive deal, if you’ve been in the market for a submersible to take on your megayacht.