sUbmErsibLeS

SUBMERSIBLES

A submersible is a type of underwater vessel with limited mobility which is typically transported to its area of operation by a surface vessel or large submarine. Used by oceanographers and marine scientists. Apart from size, the technical difference between a 'submersible' and a 'submarine' is that submersibles are not totally autonomous. They may rely on a support facility or vessel for charging of batteries, high pressure air, high pressure oxygen replenishment, or all of these. The main problem with submersibles is that they may be relatively small, holding only a small crew.
A submersible vessel has greater mobility, using propeller screws or pump-jets, than submersible chambers (diving chambers or diving bells), which are suspended from a cable and winch operated from the diving support vessel.