This underwater capsule is the coolest new design feature for yachts

Deploying underwater through the hull of a yacht, the Hydrosphere by Gresham Yacht Design offers a 360-degree view of underwater life.

British studio Gresham Yacht Design recently showcased the next best thing in yacht design with their Hydrosphere, an underwater viewing platform that can accommodate up to seven people and lowers below the bottom of the ship by a few minutes to observe marine life. The hydrosphere can be deployed while the yacht is in motion (at speeds of up to two knots), and exterior lighting illuminates the surrounding water, allowing day and night use. Plus, unlike personal submarines or other submersibles that require a specialist or pilots to drive and deploy, the Hydrosphere operates simply and quickly at the push of a button.

For the founder and lead designer of Gresham Yacht Design, Steve Gresham, ease and accessibility were the initial drivers of the concept: “We know all too well from our customers that entering the ocean in a submersible takes an hour or two, which by the time the reason to go exploring has passed you. The Hydrosphere is the solution to this problem and avoids missing important moments, ”he says. “The best thing about the Hydrosphere is that it can be used very quickly and easily. “

The studio recently worked on OceanX’s OceanXplorer, an 87-meter exploration vessel with the latest technology. “It was working on this and seeing the ever-increasing desire and need to see and understand more of the ocean that inspired this idea,” Gresham explains.

There is already serious interest in this type of design feature from private yacht owners, and the technology and knowledge already exists to carry it out. The preferred route of execution would be for the hydrosphere to be added to new construction (ideally in ships of 90 meters or more, which take about four to five years to build); However, Gresham says the Hydrosphere could even be adapted to an existing ship during a refit.

“Anyone who loves the sea and wants to immerse themselves in their surroundings will be drawn to this idea, from science enthusiasts to tech-savvy entrepreneurs,” says Gresham. “More often than not, ideas that push the boundaries are brought to life by visionary clients who aren’t afraid of new and bold ideas.