Sir Richard Branson Debuts Necker Nymph Underwater Plane

(February 2) According to the Caribbean island owner, the next step in luxury is an underwater plane.

Entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson’s latest toy introduces a new spin on the traditional, high-flying airplane.  The airline owner has acquired a £415,000 prototype submersible, the Necker Nymph.

The Necker Nymph has fighter jet technology, glides through the water at depths of 35,000 feet and carries a pilot and two visitors for two-hours.  The Nymph provides scuba divers with panoramic views of tropical waters and also has a low environmental impact.

Of the sub, Marketing Manager Karen Hawkes says, “The Nymph is an entirely new class of vehicle for us – think of a sleek convertible under water.  It is different from our other submersibles because it was specifically designed to dive to scuba depths in tropical waters…Its positive buoyancy prevents the sub from landing on a reef, and its low light and noise emissions ensure the fragile ocean ecosystems remain undisturbed.”

Branson’s Nymph is available for hire for $25,000 a week to guests who stay on the Necker Belle for a minimum of seven nights.  The sub is expected to be delivered on February 20th.