Not content with producing Northern Europe’s first sunken reef, the National Marine Aquarium is shortly to offer tourist trips to sea – in a submarine.

The Plymouth organisation was responsible for converting the former Leander-class frigate HMS Scylla and sinking her in Whitsand Bay earlier this year as a reef for marine creatures and a new feature for divers to explore.

Their next project, announced yesterday, is a six-man submarine – the first of its kind in the world – which can explore the sea bed off the West Country, taking a close look at Scylla from the comfort of a dry cabin.

Named Alicia after the American owner’s daughter, the purpose-built submarine has been developed in Plymouth at Marlin Submarines.

The vessel will be just over 18 tonnes, 11.2 metres long, and is powered by diesel-electric motors. It will be able to take tourists and researchers to a depth of 305 metres and can stay submerged for up to eight hours, travelling at a speed of 5 knots submerged.

The passenger section of the pressure hull is a 1.85m transparent acrylic sphere, offering the prospect of a spectacular all-round view.

It has taken three years to design and build as a joint project between the Aquarium, an American investor, Marlin Submarines and ocean exploration consultants Sylvia Earle and Don Walsh.

It is hoped the submarine will be available for tourist use in mid-July, after a scientific expedition earlier in that month, and the Aquarium will operate it for 12 months.

Excursions are planned to see Scylla on the sea bed, lasting about an hour and taking in the wreck of the James Egon Layne, but the submarine can be booked for other trips, including corporate hospitality functions.

The Aquarium’s Chief Executive, Michael Leece, said: “The submarine is a fantastic opportunity for the National Marine Aquarium.

“We aim to engage people with the oceans, and the submarine provides both scientific and leisure opportunities – what better way is there for non-divers to see the wonders of the sea right in front of them?”

Tickets will be available shortly from the Aquarium, and enquiries are already being received from around the world, so demand is expected to be high.

For further developments, see the Aquarium website at www.national-aquarium.co.uk

The Aquarium is also shortly to produce a DVD charting the conversion of Scylla into an artificial reef.

The Sinking of Scylla will be on sale within the next few weeks.

TV company Two Four Productions has worked with the Aquarium for the past six months, filming the Scylla team of experts at each stage of the conversion from 2,500 tons redundant warship to a home for sea creatures.

The resultant DVD not only allows viewers to follow the story from dry dock in Devonport Naval Base to the ship’s final resting place in Whitsand Bay – including the dramatic sinking of the ship – but also includes interviews with ex-crew members, project workers and divers.

According to the Aquarium’s Communications Manager Melanie Cowie, the DVD will appeal to divers, warship enthusiasts, former ship’s company of HMS Scylla and anyone interested in marine life.

“The making of the documentary has been very exciting,” said Melanie.

“We’ve had a team of researchers and cameramen who have followed our every move to produce this fascinating story.”

The DVD will be available initially from the National Marine Aquarium gift shop, with other outlets to follow. For enquiries, telephone 01752 600301.