45 Minutes with an Odyssey Submarine
Undersea Cruising, No Problem!

Wallowing in the allurement of undersea panorama came to be fascinating attraction and unforgettable moment for the lifetime. Odyssey Submarine is the only tourism submarine in the Southeast Asia that makes the travelers’ dream come true to see undersea charm along with its various marine fish, coral reef and other marine biota.

The tourism submarine made in Canada was launched in Bali in last December 2004. Amuk Bay, Padang Bai is selected as the operation zone of the vessel since its undersea view is worth appreciating due to its magnificence. Amuk Bay is located at Labuan Amuk hamlet, Antige Village Karangasem and 56 km from Denpasar or 15 minutes drive from Padang Bay harbor.
Odyssey has a submarine specification because its height at 5.5meter high, width 4 meters, length 17 meters and weight 72.6 tons. “Such specification is worth categorizing into tourism submarine,” said Adnyana, the pilot of Odyssey Submarine, who has undergone 6-month training under a Canadian instructor.

Unforgettable Moment
Prior to sailing, passengers are given briefing on the safety and convenience during the undersea adventure with Odyssey Submarine. Passengers are not allowed to smoke and eat food as it is immensely disturbs the convenience of sailing.
Then, we were led to the Odyssey Submarine and set forth the undersea sailing. Capacity of the submarine is 36 passengers and goes sailing 500 meter away from the mother ship with the depth of 40 meters from above sea level. During on the surface of the sea, surface officer handles the submarine. When being undersea, all passengers are under control of 2 pilots and a co-pilot. Adnyana and Subrata as pilot and Nyoman Ardana as co-pilot control the entire voyage.
During the voyage, inter-pilot and surface officer communication keep on taking place to make sure the safety and convenience of passengers below the sea. “We continually make coordination with the surface officer or on the way round. This makes us easier to know the position of the submarine,” said Subrata.
The undersea ambience is getting more absorbing when two cabin crews dive and follow the Odyssey Submarine while feeding the fish. Action of thousands fish was so amiable on being fed. Moreover, the intriguing coral reef of various kinds and sizes make an immensely fascinating undersea charm. Life of other marine biota also indulges the eyes and brings the voyage to perfection.
Entire life of undersea biota is obviously viewable through a side window measuring 18 x 21.5 cm and 100 x 50 cm on the front. Through this glass window, pocket camera can be used to take photograph the undersea charm. After 45 minutes exploring the undersea panorama, slowly but surely, the Odyssey Submarine returns to the surface and then passengers were proceeded to restaurant for lunch.
According to the Operational Manager of Odyssey Submarine, Michael Septanto, since last December 2004 many travelers have taken advantage this service to have an undersea sightseeing. “Japanese and Taiwanese travelers like best this attraction, so the both countries are our strongest current target market,” said Septanto who is also the Operational Manager of Quicksilver. (BTN/013)