The Project

The myth: The modern day Tritons (a race of half-man, half-fish sea gods and goddesses) will begin their journey in Corfu (the island of Calypso). Corfu was, according to the myth, the last stop on the adventurous journey of Odysseus (Ulysses) after the Trojan Wars. Later, the crafty hero returned home to Ithaca where his wife, the stoical Penelope, had patiently waited for ten long years. Ithaca, which has long been the symbolic image for the end of a long journey, will signify the conclusion of the mission for the Tritons.

The technology: The scientific and technological part of our mission is true innovation. The submarines will be designed and built by project Engineer Alex Sarasitis and will utilise a hydrofoil tail fin attached to the pilots legs for propulsion. The foil angle will change automatically producing an 'automatic transmission' effect making it the most efficient way of swimming. This new fin technology will be used by Herbert Nitsch, "The Flying Fish", during a Constant Weights World Record attempt in 2008. Alex's designs will be based on the motion and shape of fast swimming fishes such as tuna and mako sharks, giving them the fastest form possible. The “dry” submarines will be built from carbon fibres, giving rise to a new species of fish: the Carbon Fin Tuna. They will be capable of diving to approximately 50m with a clear polycarbonate dome serving as the viewing port. Both submarines will be equipped with video cameras for observation and research, as well as an advanced communication system and sophisticated diving equipment for safety.

The objectives: The mission of our expedition is to motivate kids and adults, in order for them to feel a communal responsibility for nature and the marine environment. Our aim is to 'touch' the new generation through information and knowledge in order for them to realise the urgent need to protect our natural beauty and to adapt to a new and improved way of living that is in harmony with our environment. In addition, our expedition aims to contribute to the protection of two of Europe’s most endangered marine species (the Monk Seal and the loggerhead turtle) as well as inform and educate the general public about their conservation.

In this framework, a website will be developed that will highlight and explain in detail the path of the two submarines by using a satellite tracking system. This website will include interactive maps, a daily blog, video diaries (including underwater footage from the submarines), webcasts and a photo gallery. The maintenance of the website will be carried out regularly with the use of a waterproof laptop and a wireless Internet connection.

The main partners of the expedition are the 'Ionian Sea Research Centre ISRC' which is part of 'Fiscardo's Nautical and Environmental Club FNEC'. The ISRC will assist with the marine research, conservation and awareness of local marine issues. The Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles MEDASSET  and the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research will assist with the environmental education and outreach component of the project. ‘Mappamondo GIS’ will use Geographical Information Systems and IT solutions to track the progress of the expedition in real time. As a participant of their Conservation Program the project aims to raise awareness of endangered species and help protect their habitat.

The environmental education outreach program will constitute a major part of our project. The two submarines will make daily stops to communicate with schools from around the world via live and interactive webcasts. Lloyd and Carolina will talk to students, explain the technology of the submarines, answer questions and help them acquire an awareness of their environment and its related problems and sensitivity to the global environment. In addition, local schools, social groups and individuals from the Ionian Islands will be able to meet and greet the expedition as Lloyd and Carolina swim from one island to the next making stimulating project presentations.

The exposure: Potential for media coverage of the project exists in many forms. A production company will be selected to create an international documentary about the expedition. International magazines, newspapers, radio and TV stations have already expressed a keen interest in the expedition as a result of The BioSUB Project and Herbert Nitsch’s No Limits World Record freedive to 214m. We aim to fully exploit the valuable currency of these recent achievements to promote our next adventure and its objectives. An exciting opportunity exists for our major International sponsor to advertise on Herbert’s wetsuit and monofin during his Constant Weights World Record attempt and on the exterior of the two submarines during their 500km migration.