Substation Curacao

On Wednesday August 11, 2010 I was visiting Substation Curaçao, the location of the submarine that takes tourists to depths far beneath what can be reached while sport diving. At that moment the activity was not yet officially launched; trial runs were underway.

A number of pictures I took while the submarine entered the harbor after the dive. This was a trial run with just employees of Substation Curaçao on board of the submarine.

• The safety boat arrives in the harbor The safety boat arrives in the harbor
• During the dive the safety boat is in continuous contact with the submarine During the dive the safety boat is in continuous contact with the submarine
• The harbor with the platform for the sub, the pier for the safety boat and the crane The harbor with the platform for the sub, the pier for the safety boat and the crane
• Dutch Schrier is ready to pilot the submarine in through a radiotelephone (walkie-talkie) Dutch Schrier is ready to pilot the submarine in through a radiotelephone (walkie-talkie)
• The submarine enters the harbor The submarine enters the harbor
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• Making the submarine positively buoyant Making the submarine positively buoyant
• and direct it to the platform and direct it to the platform
• The submarine enters the platform in reverse The submarine enters the platform in reverse
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• The submarine is stable in the platform and the hatch is opened. Dutch stands ready with the airconditioning The submarine is stable in the platform and the hatch is opened. Dutch stands ready with the airconditioning
• The pilot and the other passengers leave the sub The pilot and the other passengers leave the sub
• Smile for the camera Smile for the camera
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• The cables to lift the submarine with the crane are attached The cables to lift the submarine with the crane are attached
• and there it goes and there it goes
• careful not to touch the sides careful not to touch the sides
• Dutch operates the crane Dutch operates the crane
• The submarine is free from obstacles and can be moved inwards The submarine is free from obstacles and can be moved inwards
• just high enough to not touch the ground just high enough to not touch the ground
• The cabin of the crane is not turning so Dutch has to turn around himself The cabin of the crane is not turning so Dutch has to turn around himself
• Almost done. Bruce checks if everything goes well Almost done. Bruce checks if everything goes well
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