The Comex “Seabus” (ABS ID #172156) was built in 1992 and began passenger carrying operations in the south of France (Monte Carlo) shortly after commissioning. The Seabus was sold at auction in 1995 to the Delauze family and the operation was relocated to Grand Bahama Island (Freeport) that same year. The Seabus was renamed the Deepstar at this time, the Freebex support barge was renamed the Stargate and the Transfer Vessel renamed the Shooting Star.

The Bahamas operation was shut down in 1997 and the Deepstar has been in storage since.

The most unique feature of the Deepstar is the vessel's transparent acrylic pressure hull, which is comprised of seven cylindrical acrylic sections 2400mm in OD, 2200mm in ID and 1210mm in length and two 120 degree spherical sector viewports at each end. In addition, the top portion of the forward hatch trunk is fitted with a cylindrical acrylic section to assist the pilot and/or the crew with surface navigation when the hatches are closed. Currently, the Deepstar is the only passenger carrying submersible in the world with a predominately acrylic pressure hull.

The DeepStar with support lift barge and passenger catamaran is currently for sale at an asking price of US$695,000 for all three vessels. In addition, DeepStar requires a refit for an approximate cost of US$2.5 million.

The current owners of the submarine have entered into an agency agreement with UVI and DSMS to sell this incredible submersible. Please note that a new-build DeepStar, lift barge and passenger catamaran would cost ~ US$10,000,000 to replace. This is an exceptional price for perhaps one of the most beautifully designed tourist submersibles ever built.

Full technical, refit and training assistance is available. Please call or email for further details. Full predelivery Site Survey is recommended and available as well.

Contact Underwater Vehicles Inc. for further details including previous Survey Report, Bursiness Expenses Proforma and Opertions Manuals for DeepStar.