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SUMMER 2012
DIVE SLATE
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windows on each side, two beds and a
table. It opened in 2000 and is accessible
by boat. Despite its simplicity and
modest design, guests generally report
a pleasant and memorable, once-in-a-
lifetime experience.
The Poseidon Undersea Resort in Fiji,
which has not yet opened to the public,
is more advanced in its design as well
as its integration into the surrounding
environment. Built by Bruce Jones
of U.S. Submarines Inc., the resort
will be 40 feet below the surface and
feature 20 bungalows. The architecture
of the suites and service areas uses a
modular configuration and submarine
technology. The central steel corridor is
permanently fixed to the structure’s base
on the seafloor, and each unit running
off the corridor is neutrally buoyant. A
service area and restaurant/bar are on
one side, and a library, conference room
and wedding chapel are on the other.
Access is via elevators in vertical tunnels.
Curvilinear surfaces composed of
transparent acrylic compose 70 percent
of the structure to maximize the view.
Visit www.poseidonresorts.com for more
information.
Design
Most submerged structures follow
classical commercial or military
underwater designs using aquarium
or submarine technology, or they are
essentially terrestrial structures that
have been sealed and submerged.
By and large, traditional terrestrial
building materials including steel-like
matrix, glass, acrylic and concrete
are utilized with minimal need for
innovative or advanced materials.
Underwater architecture for residence
and tourism is a challenging and
exciting field that has not yet
flourished, although the technology
and knowledge are (or are becoming)
available. The creation of inspiring
underwater facilities brings
opportunities to evoke the exciting
aquatic world or use cutting-edge
materials based in nanotechnology,
extreme textiles or innovative water-
building technology. Although he was
referring to nanotechnology when
he said it, Nobel laureate Richard
Feynman’s famous quote applies:
“There’s plenty of room at the bottom.”
— Noemi Bitterman, D.Sc.
Alert Diver
Expands
Digital
Availability
DAN’s popular
magazine is now
available for
tablet download
A
lert Diver magazine is
now available digitally
on iOS and Android tablets. The
digital version features all the great
content contained in the print pages
along with bonus videos, photo galleries,
links and more.
The Alert Diver application is free to
download, and all content is free to DAN
Members as well. The digital subscription
is automatically included with DAN
membership. Members simply login with
the email address associated with their
DAN membership, and their password is
their last name as it appears on their DAN
membership card. (The last name field
is case sensitive.) Nonmembers or those
who live outside the DAN America territory
can purchase issues individually.
To download the application, simply
visit iTunes, the Amazon Appstore for
Android or Google Play and search for
“Alert Diver.” Then download the free
app, load your content, and enjoy!
If you need help logging in, visit
www.AlertDiver.com/App.