Atlantis Adventures

Our Story

Dennis Hurd is the president of Atlantis Submarines International, Inc., the company responsible for taking more than 7 million passengers on undersea adventures aboard its 28, 48 and 64 passenger submarines. A fleet larger than that of many national navies, Atlantis subs are now found in Grand Cayman, Barbados, St. Thomas, Aruba, Guam, Cozumel, and on the Hawaii Islands of Kona, Maui and Oahu.

The Atlantis XIV, which operates off Waikiki Beach, Hawaii, accommodates 64 passengers, spans more than 100 feet and is the world's largest passenger submarine. Hurd launched his first battery-powered, nonpolluting Atlantis Submarine in December 1985 off the coast of the Cayman Islands. The high-tech nature of the vessel, the air-conditioned, pressure-controlled cabin, and the underwater beauty of the reef made the attraction an instant hit. A design engineer who once captained a 20-ton schooner from Nova Scotia to the Bahamas, Hurd came up with the idea of recreational submarines during his tenure at International Hydrodynamics ("Hyco").

At the time, Hyco was the world leader in deep-sea manned submersibles and the developer of submersibles that could tend North Sea oil rigs to depths of 6,600 feet. In the 1970's, Hurd would often take clients down in these submarines to inspect drilling sites. The thrill these executives got from subsea exploration was enough to make him think seriously about underwater tourism. During the slow winter months of 1977, Hurd studied the possibility of taking small submersibles into the Bahamas, but quickly discovered that a vehicle with capacity far more than one or two passengers would be a more financially viable option. From 1979-1983, Hurd ran his own worldwide service company, Offshore Engineering Corporation, which operated the small oil-industry subs. In 1983, he used the profits from that successful venture to found Sub Aquatics Development Corporation, later renamed Atlantis Submarines International, Inc.

Beginning with $250,000 in design and development money from friends and business acquaintances, Hurd completed preliminary drawings and market studies. He then went on to raise the millions necessary to build Atlantis I. Atlantis I was based on 15 years prior experience in the research and commercial submersible industry including extensive experience in both the design and operational aspects of the technology. Atlantis I was purpose built to carry 28 passenger on hour long trips to tour coral reefs in tropical resort locations -- a way for all people to experience the underwater world previously the reserve of scuba divers. Atlantis I would dive to 150 feet in air conditioned comfort and with no pressure on the passengers. Precise manouevering would tour guests close to the reefs, viewed from large windows which were customer designed, built and tested by Atlantis.

In 1986, Atlantis I began the world's first tourist submarine operation in Grand Cayman Island. It was highly successful and attracted world wide attention. Essentially a prototype, improvements were made in the early stages and incorporated into Atlantis II, which was displayed in Expo86 in Vancouver, prior to deploying the sub in Barbados which commenced operations in 1987.

The design and operational experience gained with Atlantis I and II led to the development of Atlantis III, a much larger, 48 passenger sub, which was launched in 1987 in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. This was the first submarine to be certified by the US Coast Guard. Atlantis started the School Children's Program; classroom work is followed by a dive, which provides children with real exposure to the ocean environment, and an awareness of its fragile nature.

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Subsequent 48 passenger submarines were launched in Kona, Maui, and Oahu on the Hawaiian Islands, and in Guam, Microneasia, Aruba, and Mexico during this period. In 1994 a 64 passenger submarine was designed and built for Oahu in Hawaii. At the time, Oahu has two operating subs, but the large market demand led to this larger third submarine. Of particular interest in Oahu is the underwater submarine adventure. Atlantis built and deployed a series of reef structures aimed at attracting and protecting numerous different marine life into an area that was previously scoured by a hurricane many years ago, removing the protective coral cover for marine life.

In November 1998, Atlantis expanded its operations beyond the submarine tours into semi-submerisble and island tours. Semi subs provide passengers with a view of the ocean from large windows placed opposite seats located below the ocean surface -- however, the semi submarine does not submerge and dive. Excellent viewing is had in shallow water reefs. Today, semi submarines (Seaworld Explorer) are operated by Atlantis in Grand Cayman, St. Martin, Aruba, and Curacao. During this period Atlantis further expanded into additional marine oriented tours and currently provides kayak, catamaran sailing, jet boat, snorkel and other tours in all its island operations.

Hurd has taken his idea through the whole spectrum of challenges that are involved in designing, financing, and building a unique vessel, having it approved by regulatory authorities and insured, moving it into production, developing operating systems, maintenance systems and training programs, and establishing operating sites around the globe.

Last year the organization employed approximately 450 people, operating 11 tourist submarines at 13 locations around the world, taking over 750,000 people on undersea tours. Among Atlantis passengers are over 40,000 local school children, whose classes participated in the company's "Living Classroom" program.

Quite a story

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