Marine Walker System
MarineWalker
The MarineWalker system (also known as Marine Walker, Underwater Walker) is used at many beaches in Asia including Okinawa, Guam, Saipan, Palau, and Taiwan. At Kaneohe Beach on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, more than 200 entries are made using this system each day (3 installations in operation).
One underwater tour consisting of a 10 minute lecture and a 15 minute underwater walk (or Fish Watch) costs $85 to $100 and is extremely popular amongst those who would like to enjoy and be healed by the underwater world, but cannot swim or do not want to get their faces wet.
The target market for this system consists of those who are not drawn to scuba diving but would like to trek underwater. In comparison to scuba diving, the simplicity of putting a helmet over one’s head allows for a stress-free environment that increases enjoyment in underwater exploration.
Customers descend a ladder to the ocean floor or walk in straight from the beach. Without even having to go far, they can see underwater creatures and coral and experience the healing environment.
1. Safe for people who cannot swim or have never been underwater.
2. Fun for all healthy people from 8 year olds to seniors.
3. Diving with glasses is possible since you don’t have to get your face wet.
4. All the customer needs is a swimsuit.
5. The helmet and its support system are safe and reliable.
6. The helmet has a roomy interior with a full range of vision surrounded by an acrylic sheet that can withstand great amounts of pressure.
7. Smaller sizes are available for women and children which expands the available age range for this underwater experience.
8. No training or cumbersome diving equipment required.
9. Maintenance is easy, and does not require returning the equipment to the manufacturer.
10. An experienced diving instructor is available to support you by phone or email.
11. An air compressor is not necessary. Simply use a standard scuba diving tank/cylinder.
12. You are permitted to use the original Ocean Rabbit character or create your own logo.
SPECIFICATIONS
Marine Walker System
The MarineWalker System is a type of diving system that allows people who cannot swim to experience the underwater world.
*Guests wear helmets and descend a ladder to the ocean or aquarium floor where they can walk around and experience the underwater world.
*The operation team consists of one instructor who guides the guests underwater and two operators who assist guests with their gear, as well as operating the air compressor (or scuba tanks).
*Guests remain underwater for 15 minutes. This time was determined as the safest length of time for guests who have never been underwater before.
Operation requirements
A. MarineWalker System equipment
*Special diving MarineWalker (7 helmets)
*Special air supplier
*Safety guide bar
*Low pressure air hose
B. Equipment you prepare (not included)
*Air compressor or scuba tanks (if you want to operate by scuba tanks only, no air compressor is needed)
*Ladder
*Scuba tanks for MarineWalker instructor
System Equipment Description
1. Special diving MarineWalker
This helmet weighs 37 kg (80 lbs) on land, but its underwater weight is 12 lbs in fresh water. The smaller sized helmet weighs 29kg (62 lbs) on land and 10 lbs underwater. This open-ended helmet allows the wearer to stay underwater by putting it over his/her head. The helmet is connected to the scuba tanks by a hose that supplies it with air. The interior of the helmet is designed with a defogging mechanism that prevents the front window from fogging. The window is made of acrylic to provide strength. The helmet is also fitted with a vent which continuously circulates the air. Since the vent is located at the back, there is no air valve to obstruct the guests view.
2. Special MarineWalker air supplier
The air sent from the compressor is controlled by the supplier and delivered at the optimum pressure to each of the divers. The air supplier is capable of controlling the necessary amount of air from the backup high pressure tank.
3. Safety guide bar
This allows the divers to walk the aquarium floor safely by guiding the movements of the guests
4. Helmet supporter (optional)
This support is for women or children with narrower shoulders since the diving helmet is designed for adult males. Smaller and lighter helmets are available this summer for children under the age of 10.
Selecting the Diving Point
The MarineWalker system can supply air through hoses within a 40m (130ft) radius of the boat.
1. Area: A location that will not be affected by other watercraft.
2. Diving depth: Maximum 5.5m (18ft), minimum 2.5m (8.0ft) regardless of the tide.
3. Ocean floor conditions: Flat sand bed near habitats of coral and fish.
4. Tidal currents: An area with gentle tidal currents.
*The current should be 0.5 knots or lower both on the surface and underwater.
*An object floating on the surface should not move more than 25cm (10in.) per second.
5. Water quality: The water should be clean and clear.
*Visibility should be at least 10m (30ft) since the aim of this activity is to have the guests enjoy a view of the undersea world.
Implementation
The system can be implemented using a boat, barge, or- Operation Requirements -
A. MarineWalker System equipment
*Special diving MarineWalker (7 helmets)
*Special air supplier
*Safety guide bar
*Low pressure air hose
B. Equipment you prepare (not included)
*Air compressor or scuba tanks (if you want to operate by scuba tanks only, no air compressor is needed)
*Ladder
*Scuba tanks for MarineWalker instructor
System Equipment Description
1. Special diving MarineWalker
This helmet weighs 37 kg (80 lbs) on land, but its underwater weight is 12 lbs in fresh water. The smaller sized helmet weighs 29kg (62 lbs) on land and 10 lbs underwater. This open-ended helmet allows the wearer to stay underwater by putting it over his/her head. The helmet is connected to the scuba tanks by a hose that supplies it with air. The interior of the helmet is designed with a defogging mechanism that prevents the front window from fogging. The window is made of acrylic to provide strength. The helmet is also fitted with a vent which continuously circulates the air. Since the vent is located at the back, there is no air valve to obstruct the guests view.
2. Special MarineWalker air supplier
The air sent from the compressor is controlled by the supplier and delivered at the optimum pressure to each of the divers. The air supplier is capable of controlling the necessary amount of air from the backup high pressure tank.
3. Safety guide bar
This allows the divers to walk the aquarium floor safely by guiding the movements of the guests
4. Helmet supporter (optional)
This support is for women or children with narrower shoulders since the diving helmet is designed for adult males. Smaller and lighter helmets are available this summer for children under the age of 10.
Selecting the Diving Point
The MarineWalker system can supply air through hoses within a 40m (130ft) radius of the boat.
1. Area: A location that will not be affected by other watercraft.
2. Diving depth: Maximum 5.5m (18ft), minimum 2.5m (8.0ft) regardless of the tide.
3. Ocean floor conditions: Flat sand bed near habitats of coral and fish.
4. Tidal currents: An area with gentle tidal currents.
*The current should be 0.5 knots or lower both on the surface and underwater.
*An object floating on the surface should not move more jetty.
If you are using a boat or barge, anchor it (i.e. sinkers) at three points so that it is still. For either craft, you will need space onboard to install the air compressor and air supplier.
* Boat or barge
1. Create a firm deck for entry. The deck should be large and strong enough to hold at least 2 to 3 people and 2 to 3 MarineWalker. Also, because many decks are made with slippery surfaces, you will need to apply non-slip materials.
2. You will need to secure space to install the air compressor and air supplier. The location of the air compressor must be determined with due consideration to its exhaust.
3. Since the MarineWalker equipment, especially the air compressor, is quite heavy, the location of each component must be determined with balance in mind. The vessel is assumed to have a capacity of about 20 to 30 people.
* Jetty
1.You will need either:
a. A stable floating jetty that would allow access from a fixed jetty regardless of the tide, or:
b. A deck with the space and strength of a firm deck of a boat or barge.
In either case, you should consider installing a ladder for entry.
2. Even when you are implementing the system from a jetty, you will need a place to install the air compressor and air supplier.
3. If you want operate by scuba tanks only, no air compressor is needed.
- Selecting an Air Compressor -
The air compressor must allow installation on a boat, barge, or jetty and have the following specifications:
1. Type: Automatic unloaded type.
2. Cooling: Both air and water cooling systems are acceptable.
3. Driving mechanism: All diesel engine types are acceptable. Motorized types are also acceptable if the boat has access to a stable source of power (200 volts).
4. Required horsepower: 5.0hp(ps) (3.7kw) or higher.
5. Actual air delivery volume: 400 liters/min or more.
6. Tank capacity: About 20 to 30 liters to prevent back flow.
The air compressor is the most important piece of equipment in terms of supplying the divers with air. You must purchase one that is dependable and offers good after-purchase maintenance support.
Operating Preparedness
This system does not need special training or certification from a diving educational organization. As we mentioned earlier, operation is to be performed by at least three staff members--one instructor and two operators. Competent operational management is a must because the MarineWalker system caters to guests who cannot swim.
At one of the resorts employing this system, one instructor takes up to six guests underwater at a time. Also, one assistant with scuba gear always accompanies the divers as an additional safety measure.
The standards we mention above are the minimum requirements for operating the MarineWalker system. Actual operations should be determined for each diving spot after a careful review.
