The Necker Nymph is a submersible vehicle operated by Virgin AquaticTime Magazine, "Virgin Founder Richard Branson", Dan Fletcher, 1 September 2009 (accessed 25 July 2010) from the 32-metre yacht Necker Belle,SuperYachts.com, "Necker Nymph 'Underwater Aircraft' announced by Virgin Limited Edition" (accessed 25 July 2010) which is based at the Virgin Limited Edition resort Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands.New York Daily News, "Richard Branson's latest toy? An underwater plane called 'Necker Nymph'", Catey Hill, Monday 1 February 2010 (accessed 25 July 2010)
The Necker Nymph is the initial example of the DeepFlight Merlin class of positively-buoyant open-cockpit wet subs manufactured by Hawkes Ocean Technologies.gizmag.com, "Necker Nymph: underwater flying becomes Virgin territory", Noel McKeegan, 21 January 2010 (accessed 25 July 2010) It relies on hydrodynamic forces for anti-lift force. It is 4.5 metres long, capable of 360-degree "hydrobatic" manoeuvres, can dive up to 40 metres underwater, and seats one pilot and two passengers in an open cockpit (necessitating wearing scuba gear).Jaunted.com, "Richard Branson Has a New Toy: An Airplane-like Submarine!", 2 February 2010 (accessed 25 July 2010)Forbes.com, "What billionaires do on summer vacations", Katie Evans, 16 June 2010 (accessed 25 July 2010) Occupants have a "windscreen" to protect them from the water's slipstream.
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