DSV-5 Nemo
DSV-5, ex-NEMO (Naval Experimental Manned Observatory), was a submersible used by the United States Navy between 1970 and 1986 to oversee and observe undersea construction work. NEMO had a spherical transparent acrylic hull, which gave occupants panoramic vision. NEMO was the first submersible with a hull made entirely out of transparent acrylic (Plexiglass), and much of her career was spent testing this hull design. NEMO was found to be an effective observation platform, despite not being able to hover in place, and acrylic-hulled submersibles have continued to be built and operated in the United States. NEMO is considered part of the Alvin class of Deep Submergence Vehicles despite bearing little resemblance to the other subs of the class. NEMO was transferred to "other government agencies" (likely the CIA) in 1986 and retired from government service in 2011. It was then given to the U.S. Navy Seabee Museum, where it remains on display.
DSV-5 NEMO on display at the Seabee Museum | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| United States | |
| Builder | Naval Civil Engineering Laboratory |
| Launched | 1970 |
| Commissioned | 1970 |
| Decommissioned | 30 September 1986 |
| Fate | Transferred to "other government agencies" (likely CIA) |
| Status | On display at U.S. Navy Seabee Museum |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Alvin-class deep submergence vehicle |
| Displacement | 8,000 lb (3.6 t) |
| Length | 66 in (1.7 m) |
| Beam | 80 in (2.0 m) |
| Draft | 110 in (2.8 m) |
| Speed | .75 knots (1.39 km/h; 0.86 mph) |
| Endurance | 8 hours |
| Test depth | 600 ft (180 m) |
| Complement | 2 (pilot and observer) |