Human submarine races
The week-long European International Submarine Races organised by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEST) saw teams from around the world come together to build and race self-built human propelled submarines.
The overall winner of the race, hosted by QinetiQ in its Ocean Basin at Haslar, was Omer 9 from École de Technologies Supérieure Montreal in Canada. Archimède from École Polytechnique de Montreal, also from Canada, was the runner up.
Both teams received trophies of glass engraved by former Flag Officer Submarines Admiral Frank Grenier. Omer 9 also won the endurance award for completing two laps of the course with the fastest time and no faults, and the greatest speed between timed gates reaching 7.1 knots.
Ten teams from universities on three continents took part in the biennial races, which aim to showcase the best new talent in undersea which is a fascinating, rapidly developing, growing area of technology desperately in need of new graduates.
The British constituent included the University of Bath (with Menrva), University of Plymouth (with Mayflower), and University of Warwick (with HPS Shakespeare).
The races were sponsored by QinetiQ, MOD DE&S, the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST), Lloyd’s Register Foundation, the Babcock Group, BMT Defence Services, James Fisher Defence, and BAE Systems.
By Anne-Marie Causer
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