The Subskimmer is a Diver Propulsion Vehicle which is a form of RIB (inflatable boat) with an outboard petrol engine. It is equipped to inflate and deflate itself. When submerged it seals its motor and runs with battery-electric thrusters, which are on a rotatable cross-arm. Thus it transforms between a fast light surface boat and a submerged diver-rider. The central box contains the pump to deflate and inflate the tubes, and miscellaneous kit. The batteries, being heavy, are in a thick tube along its keel. Its outboard motor has a long snorkel so the Subskimmer can run on motor just submerged to try to avoid detection. The thruster-arm contains a navigation kit.
The Subskimmer project was started in the 1970s by Submarine Products Ltd. of Hexham in Northumberland in England and passed through various hands. It is now being made by Alphachamp. Its thrusters are on a rotatable cross-arm. There are pictures and more information at Alphachamp's link. The name "Subskimmer" is correctly a tradename owned by Alphachamp.
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