ICTINEU 3, the new catalan research submersible
It is the first manned submersible built in Catalonia since Mr. Monturiol created the first Ictineu in 1859 and 1864.
The project has achieved the more than 60,000 euro needed to complete the project through a crowdfunding campaign launched in July through Verkami platform. The scientific submarine campaign is the second which has raised more money ever Verkami. The first was the documentary 'L' endemà' from the producer Isona Passola. The aim was to reach the final stage of a research and development project that began nine years ago and which has already invested 2.5 million euros.
ICTINEU 3 is 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.
Once it has been assembled and starts diving, it will become one of the ten submersibles that can dive deeper in the world. 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 will also be a perfect tool for the study and conservancy of the underwater archaeological heritage.