Shark Attack

Many boat crews and owners will already be familiar with the Seabreacher, a pint-sized watercraft that dips and dives beneath the water like a dolphin. Its creator, Rob Innes, has now taken the concept a step further with the Jet Shark, a semi-submersible boat that offers a unique subaquatic experience.

The Jet Shark Q Model, the company’s first offering, has seating for four, full-sized adults inside a climate-controlled, watertight cockpit with large panoramic windows. Even better, the vessel can also be operated with its two large gull-wing doors fully open, so that it can double as a pleasure craft on the surface.

While the current Jet Shark Q Model is powered by a 420hp Kodiak Marine engine, a marinised version of the new generation Corvette V8, future variants, which will accommodate up to six occupants, will also sport 600hp supercharged engines and offer a number of different trim levels.

As the Jet Shark is approximately three times the volume of the smaller, two-seat Seabreacher, electro-hydraulic controls are required to operate the large dive planes. These, along with the rear elevators and vectored jet thrust, are responsible for maneuvering the very buoyant Jet Shark underwater.

Cockpit controls and instrumentation look more like those out of a private jet than a conventional 20-foot-long boat, with all onboard functions controlled via the twin touchscreen displays directly in front of the two front pilot stations.

Despite its exhilarating speed, the Jet Shark will only dive about five feet below the surface, and during dives, the snorkel/ camera pod remains above the water; if the vessel loses power for any reason, it instantly returns to the surface. A host of onboard cameras, sensors, and Lidar will also ensure the Jet Shark remains well away from other vessels and waterway users during its shallow dives.

The company plans to release the first production models this year.

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