Virgin Introduces the Necker Nymph ‘Underwater Plane’ aka Submarine

January 29, 2010 By Dena Cassella

Sir Richard Branson has a new underwater toy to accommodate the rich and adventurous--the Necker Nymph submarine.

Sir Richard Branson is at it again—whether it’s luxurious trips to outer space or stylish underwater adventuring, the Virgin Mobile tycoon wants to be the first to market it. Virgin Limited Edition announced today it will be going underwater with its new Necker Nymph aero submarine. The Necker Nymph a DeepFlight three-person aero submarine. Graham Hawkes of Hawkes Ocean Technologies, engineer and designer behind the Necker Nymph, likened this open cockpit winged sub to an underwater aircraft.

Virgin’s new Nymph sub will fit nicely into the company’s other luxuriously designed Necker-named properties and transports like the Necker Belle—a 105 foot catamaran—and Necker Island. Sir Richard plans to lend the Nymph out to visitors of his high-class hideaway, Necker Island. The Necker Nymph can glide through the ocean doing full 360 degree turns while carrying its pilot and two visitors on a two-hour trip.

“Gliding on the water’s surface like an aeroplane on a runway, one of the three pilots will operate the joystick to smoothly dive down, and the thrilling experience begins,” the company says. “Uncover ancient shipwrecks, fly side-by-side with dolphins, or spyhop with whales; the options are endless.”

The Nymph is available to hire for $25,000 a week, but only if your spend at least $88,000 for seven nights on the Necker Belle—we’re going to guess Sir Richard’s motto might be similar to “go big or go home.” The sub is expected to be delivered on February 20^th of this year.

Showing 25 comments

19ANDY66 at 3:08am 9th December 2010 Ho to be that rich you while away the days just coming up with ideas for super toys for the very rich to play with ! I'm not bitter at all RB as done it all off his own back good luck to the guy :-]
Richard Cash at 3:50am 7th August 2010 where can i buy one ?
Michael at 9:56pm 2nd March 2010 that is sweeeet. i'm guessing you gotta pay 88,000 for the stay to regulate customers (to anyone thinking he's a greedy bastard)
he's also got a prize going for someone who comes up with a way to reduce green house gases in the atmosphere - pays 25mil
Prosper at 3:43am 25th February 2010 I am very poor , but i admire Richard Branson, even i will call m child his name.
I am from Burundi , 29 ears old . please tell him to assist some poorman like me

Thank u
Mr Nguyen at 8:43am 14th February 2010 wow, I admire sir Branson very much, I have to work harder to be like him..
Tyron at 8:06am 12th February 2010 dis thing is so cool i wish i could ride in it on day
engineer at 12:50pm 4th February 2010 Fosset flew up a blind canyon in Nevada and crashed
oyebuk at 4:54am 3rd February 2010 It is good, but how long can it go for in water?
Ian Bell at 8:42pm 2nd February 2010 Doubt it.
Taras at 8:21pm 2nd February 2010 I wonder if he gets any GOV'T money for this
bilejones at 4:31pm 2nd February 2010 Branson knows the correct use of spare money
Guest at 4:05pm 2nd February 2010 To the individual who didn't know the pilot's name who died; his name was Steve Fossett. I can definitely see the two of them combining their efforts to create this. Only wish it was fully enclosed and could dive deeper than 100 feet, as its stated from another article I read.
DavidLW at 5:46am 2nd February 2010 It doesnt appear, from the artist rendition that it is fully enclosed. There for when a great white swims by and feels threatened he can just bite your head off. No wonder you need three pilots.
Taniec Brzucha at 4:29am 2nd February 2010 Yeah, maybe aeroplane?
gljohn at 4:25am 2nd February 2010 when it is "flyin" above the water is it not an achranoplan
Kowalikus at 3:59am 1st February 2010 It looks like spaceshutter
jimmy jack corn at 12:23pm 31st January 2010 sounds like a perfect device to smuggle cocaine with.
Guest at 12:04pm 31st January 2010 This was his buddy's design, I cant remember the name and I'm too lazy to google, but he was the one that died in a plane crash and was never found. All I can remember was that guy was working on this when he died and I believe Branson took up the completion of the project.
1. Richard Dennis Colbert at 5:52am 27th November 2010 That would be Sir Steve Foster
  1. Richard Dennis Colbert at 5:53am 27th November 2010 Oops I meant Steve Fosset!
Chris Hughes at 11:25am 31st January 2010 always creating great experiences. I hope to someday be as successful as Richard. :)
Phillip at 9:33am 31st January 2010 Wonder how deep it can go.
uupinko998 at 9:29am 31st January 2010 Wow, now THAT looks like a LOT if fun dude!

RT
www.be-invisible.es.tc
Business Web Coach at 9:24am 31st January 2010 What happens if you have to go to the bathroom and you're deep underwater in that thing?
Marco Fratelli at 6:17pm 30th January 2010 I just reckon it's so cool it's called the Virgin... Nymph! :)