VIDEO with subtitles in English
ICTINEU 3, A NEW RESEARCH SUBMERSIBLE
We are about to finish the construction of the research submersible ICTINEU 3. It will be a manned submersible, and one of the ten submersibles that can dive deeper in the world, 1,200 m (4,000 feet). An improved concept, Barcelona design brand, with innovative solutions and high performance. A versatile vehicle to contribute to ocean exploration and better understanding of our blue planet.
High technology and cutting edge design made in Catalonia!
With your support and your last “push” we will achieve a collective dream and be able to launch the submersible at fall in a great launch celebration.
Do you want the submersible to have your name on it? Do you want to be one to say I was part of it, I also contributed?
TECNOLOGY AND INNOVATION MADE IN CATALONIA
The Ictineu3 is the first manned submersible built in Catalonia since Mr. Monturiol built the first Ictineos in 1859 and 1864. Like those in the 19th century, it's an example of innovation, design and cutting edge technology. All the design work, the calculations and engineering systems have been done entirely in Catalonia, in collaboration with engineering companies that have shown a great capacity for innovation, research, and the ability to meet new challenges.
It's a new concept of submersible, modern, highly competitive, which incorporates cutting-edge technologies in terms of the materials used for its construction, its instrumentation and control system, and its energy system. It improves safety and performance with respect to other submersibles, and it can be adapted to suit any task underwater. It can take one pilot and two passengers to a depth of 1,200 metres with a huge acrylic window for an excellent field of observation.
In a few weeks, once it has been assembled and starts diving, it will become one of the ten submersibles that can dive deeper in the world, at the level of big nations in terms of manned depth capacity (China, Japan, France, Russia, USA).
A PROJECT TO SERVE SCIENCE AND SOCIETY
The ICTINEU 3 was born as a vehicle to serve humankind. Our goal is to contribute to a better understanding of the seas and oceans. To provide new data and knowledge to help us understand the mechanisms behind their complex ecosystems, to improve their management and exploitation, and ultimately to improve the coexistence between humans and this great unknown world.
Up to now, only 2 to 5% of our seas and oceans have been explored, and only 1% of them is protected by some kind of legal form. So new vehicles and tools are needed to improve the knowledge on the 75% of the earth.
The Ictineu 3 will have scientific instrumentation on board, and the data obtained will be published so that they can be used by the scientific and oceanographic community.
A manned submersible is a perfect tool for the study and conservancy of the underwater archaeological heritage. The depths of our seas are still the great museum of human history and Ictineu 3 can help us recover part of our history and better understand our past.
If we understand our seas, we will be able to take care of them in a better way, and to carry on improved management and exploitation policies. Our economy depends on the seas, but they are as well our food reservoir, and they provide every breath we take.
A COLLECTIVE DREAM FOR OUR COUNTRY
The design and construction of the Ictineu 3 is the result of nearly 10 years of work, and it has been promoted from the Ictineu Institute, Catalan Centre for Underwater Research, and from the company Ictineu Submarins. The project started in 2004 and the launch is scheduled for next fall 2013, if we get all your support.
This project was born and grew out of the selfless collaboration of many people: members of the public, academics and business people. Everyone motivated by the sea, science and technology, culture and our nation. They have ranged from volunteers who have contributed their labour to contributions of money or material. Everyone does their bit, to the best of their ability to create a submarine made by the people, for the people.
Up to now, more than 743 people have already contributed, do you want to become part of our community?
Do you want your name written on the Ictineu 3 submersible and say, yes, I also did a bit of it!
Up to now, the project has been an opportunity for many industries, engineers and students in our country to get involved in the underwater and marine technology, a new break into an industry with a great capacity for growth and with high value-added factors that could help the country overcome the recession.
WHY IS IT DIFFERENT
We have developed a special and powerful Li-ion-polymer battery system for our vehicle as well as a smart propelling system that will allow for a unique capacity to drive up to 20 miles underwater at big depths.
We have introduced innovations in the design, calculations and materials of the pressure vessel, so the submersible is very lightweight and improves performance compared to other existing subs.
Composite materials have been used for the exostructure of the vehicle, including new generation materials, for a reduced weight and ease of assembly.
Improvements have been done in the design, ergonomics and safety of research submersibles.
WHAT CAN THE ICTINEU 3 SUBMERSIBLE DO?
Ocean observation and research:
• Underwater archaeology (document, inventory, recovery, management)
• Sampling of sea floor to obtain new compounds useful in pharmacology and medicine
• Oceanography, geology, marine biology (observation, sampling, data logging)
• Research of marine ecosystems
Inderwater intervention:
• Piping, cabling and offshore platforms inspection
• Emergency and environmental disaster mitigation
• Assessment and follow up in emergencies, marine protected areas, quality control, etc.
Dissemination and tourism activities:
• Filming for dissemination of ocean awareness
WHAT IS SAID ABOUT THE PROJECT
The project has raised interest in the international community in underwater technology, and as it has been usual for the last years in Underwater Intervention conference, the design and innovations on the vehicle received many congratulations, and even the engineer responsible for Mr. Jim Cameron's submersible Deepsea Challenger showed great interest on the Ictineu 3 and said it had a nice design.
The Ictineu team has also visited Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (USA) and IFREMER (France) and foresees further collaboration with this important research organisations. The head of submarine systems at IFREMER even said that we were building a new generation of submersibles.
At the national level, both Spanish and Catalan administrations have recognized the project as a Research, Development and innovation project, R+D+i, though this has not been enough to get sufficient public funds for such a project.
The project has achieved, instead, an important impact in the national and international media and press, with more than 250 appearances in the news in five years, which means that we've been in the news once a week as an average.
WHAT WILL YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS BE USED FOR
Your economic support is essential for us to be able to finish the project. We are at the final stage of construction and assembly after an investment of 2.5M € and 9 years of work and development. In spite of the difficulties to achieve public and private funding, the project is almost finished. We need now a last push, and this is why we request your help, for our oceans, for our future. Together we can do it.
The contributions will be used to buy the few and necessary equipments still needed for the vehicle, to pay for the structure and the staff needed for the last test and assembly tasks, and to be able to go through the first sea trials.
CALENDAR
First diving tests are scheduled in September and before October ends we expect to make the launch celebration. The rewards will be given to you during these months. If you can't pick up your rewards during a visit to the Ictineu 3 workshop, then we can send them to your home.
REWARDS
We like to share our work with all those who help us. This is part of our commitment with society and with dissemination of science and technology among our society. This is why all of you who have contributed, no matter what the amount is, will be able to pay a guided visit to the Ictineu 3 and to learn how it has been designed and built.
The trip to our headquarters is not included, but several people have travelled overseas to see it.
Be the one that will take your name to the depths. Join the Ictineu 3!
All contributions equal to or higher than 1,000 € will get a patron certificate.
Take the name of your company where it has never been (in this image you can see a provisional example of corporate images and QR on the sub)
If for some reason you don't want your name to appear on the submersible or on our website, let us know and we will keep your anonymity.
WE ARE THE ICTINEU 3, JOIN US!
If you want more information about us, please visit www.ictineu.net or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Youtube
68 comments
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mà dinarès
Recordant projectes participats al Verkami, he recordat que no hem tingut mai cap informació de la visita guiada ni de la samarreta, ni del sorteig d'immersions ja realitzat.
Ictineu Submarins
Author
Thanks Scott,
Well, maybe we can build a new one for you, or make joint projects with this one. Please contact us at [email protected],
Best regards,
The Ictineu 3 team
Scott
I know it is a long shot, but if you ever want to sell the submarine I would be interested in buying it.
DJordai
Després de la visita guiada amb la samarreta, i el sorteig d'immersions ja realitzat (del qual no en vaig tenir cap novetat, fins que fa uns dies es van comunicar els guanyadors) encara no tinc cap resposta sobre la resta de recompenses.
DJordai
Felicitats ! Sembla que l'Ictineu es troba plenament operatiu. A fi de poder-me organitzar les vacances, em caldria saber quan seria la festa de l'avarada, i/o el sorteig de les immersions (i les altres recompenses pendents). Gràcies.
Jordi
Encara no hi ha una data prevista per l'avarada?
orique
Hola,
Quan creieu que serà l'avarada?
Gràcies
Jordi
Vaig veure per la tele que el projecte va avançant. Hi ha data per la festa que es va anunciar? :)
Montserrat Garrido
Hola,
Volia saber quan està prevista la festa de l'avarada. Ja que fa temps que no se res del projecte. Gràcies.
Montserrat Garrido
Ictineu Submarins
Author
Hola Angela,
La campanya de Verkami està tancada. Pots fer qualsevol tipus d'aportació al següent compte de La Caixa:
C.C.C.: 2100-0805-81-0200751925
IBAN: ES41 2100 0805 8102 0075 1925
SWIFT: CAIXESBBXXX
Moltes gràcies pel teu suport!
L'equip de l'ICTINEU 3