Eco-tourism Opportunities
Eco-tourism has proven itself to be one of the great tools of environmental preservation and economic development, and we intend for our business to act in those capacities. In the highly competitive world of international tourism, fugusubs can be a good drawing card for the specific locations and surrounding economies they operate from.
Laws and procedures differ between nations and sometimes within nations. Wherever fugusubs are going to be run as an ongoing business, obtaining permission to operate them within those nation’s waters will be necessary. This will always depend on the laws of those nations and ultimately, the authority or authorities in charge.
In some locations, fugusubs may be required to get a small boat license as they can act in that capacity while they are on the surface of the water. Fugusubs are categorized as Diver Propulsion Vehicles (DPV), along with wet subs and various sea scooters. These are not subject to standards and laws associated with pressurized, one atmosphere dry submarines. In general, DPV use remains unregulated in most countries.
Our goal is to build and establish a fleet of fugusubs for use in eco-tourism in some of the beautiful, clear water destinations in the world. To do this, we need partners.
You could be one of them, if not the only one. If, or until manufacturing rights are sold, we will continue to proceed with the fugusub fleet expansion.
We are looking for a person or group out there who see unmistakable potential and are financially willing and able to work with us to establish our first fugusub operation. This primary fugusub operation will serve as a working business model using six to twelve new fugusubs. Fugusub instructors for all other fugusub operations beyond this first one, could be trained here.
For specific fugusub locations, people who are already living in the countries intended for operating fugusubs are at a definite advantage over those who do not, because of citizenship advantages, possible connections or existing assets on location. However, foreigners should not be discouraged, because successful tourism businesses are owned and operated by people in many countries through various legal entities. Fugusubs could be integrated into existing dive businesses. Alternatively, new fugusub businesses can be developed. People with experience in the dive industry can be recruited to operate or assist in any new fugusub operations.
A qualifying location must have secure storage room for all equipment; power and fresh water, for maintenance. Air fills could be purchased from an existing dive business or a fugusub operation could have its own air compressor. It must have locally clear water conditions, waterfront access, and some underwater sandy areas for training purposes.
Locations with well established, developed diving tourism are preferable. Proximity to cruise ships or other high traffic, visible tourist areas is important for some operations. Less developed, but up and coming locations with potential, are also worth consideration. Ideally, the selected location will have weather and water conditions that allow fugusubs to operate two hundred to three hundred days a year. Keeping fugusubs based in a single location is logistically advantageous for maintenance, security and cost effectiveness.
After the establishment of our first prime operating location, other locations will be considered for establishing additional fugusub operations. Booking customers through multiple international travel agencies, local ticketing booths, existing dive shops or other avenues, may open up locations to an adequate supply of customers.
In addition to the more obvious fugusub potential operating sites, there are some artificial diving environments which could potentially be outstanding locations for operating some fugusubs commercially.
Specialized pools, marine life parks or large public aquariums possess year round good conditions. They are always calm, have mild currents, no boat traffic and limited depths. With defined boundaries, getting lost is not an option and a surface support vessel would not be necessary. They usually have good underwater visibility and plenty of things to see. Some are ideal for fugusub operation.
Many artificial facilities have already established successful scuba diving programs. Divers come from near and far, anxious to experience the novelty of an aquarium dive. Imagine the novelty of piloting a fugusub! Family and friends could watch through windows. Fugusub pilots would have more physical protection around them than open water divers. Most such entities have developed websites to help bring customers in. Using websites, public relations and other marketing methods, fugusubs could draw customers and paying, curious onlookers alike, directly to these destinations. Could it be done? We invite inquiries from all such facilities. Long term possibilities for marine education and other areas of expansion in such facilities, does exist.
A less centralized possibility for running a fleet of fugusubs is in leasing and placing them with selected charter vessels. Globally, there are many thousands of charter vessels that could benefit from the presence of fugusubs. If a customer visits ten docksides or ten websites to make a charter yacht selection, and one vessel is carrying one or more fugusubs on it, which charter offers the most excitement? Since many yachts cater to diving customers already, integration of fugusubs into this segment of industry is a good fit. Since some charter vessels can charge many thousands of dollars per day or week, each charter booking acquired through fugusub appeal can mean a substantial profit for that charter business.
Hotels and special resorts all over the world may be well suited for fugusub operations. Both large and small fleets of fugusubs could potentially be distributed in such places.
In any decentralized pattern of distribution for fugusubs, the primary difference in operations would have to be in the amount of technical training required for operators. Periodic and routine maintenance is required to keep these machines running properly and some key parts will have to be replaced according to maintenance schedules.
Certain offshore floating hotel projects or underwater hotel projects may be other areas of viable fugusub operations.
Underwater radio communications can make it easy for any new or experienced fugusub pilot to be in verbal contact with a certified fugusub instructor and other fugusub pilots at almost any time. The Ocean Technology Systems (OTS) radio system we use is also a direct link to a surface support diver, riding in a boat.
Speaking directly to someone on a headset is far more natural and effective for communication than most of the hand signals used in open water scuba diving. Radio signals travel beyond the limits of visual contact. In less than perfect underwater visibility conditions, this is important.
As mentioned in the FUGUSUB FACTS section of this website, there will be four levels of fugusub pilot certification. They are FUGUSUB INTRO, FUGUSUB BASIC, FUGUSUB ADVANCED and FUGUSUB INSTRUCTOR.
The fugusub certification system will be established for the safety and benefit of customers and tourism operators alike. Fugusub certification cards will be recognized at all fugusub operating destinations. A certification card will reflect the skill level attained by the holder of the card. They may also reflect any specialty certifications that can be developed, which could include specialized tasks and techniques, or special conditions.
Certification cards are more than just proof of operating skills, they are worthy trophies of personal achievement that some people will strive to attain. They will assist in developing repeat customers.
FUGUSUB INTRO is the first level of fugusub certification. For some fugusub business locations, this certification level may be the primary income generator. This introductory course for fugusub operation will be restricted to depths of less than thirty-three feet. This shallow depth eliminates any need for decompression procedures. A float with a determined length of line attached to the sub will prevent it from going deeper. The float also serves as a location marker for the surface support diver to follow.
Most divers should be able to learn how to operate a fugusub in an hour or less.
The FUGUSUB INTRO certification level will be a combination of surface instruction and at least an hour or more of underwater time. Once that first certification has been obtained, additional underwater fugusub excursions at any certification level will be almost a full two hours long. This is a value adding feature of all fugusub excursions.
FUGUSUB BASIC is the next level of certification. Training will include underwater exits/re-entries, piloting skills, more depth and a decompression dive.
FUGUSUB ADVANCED will go beyond the basic level to include advanced piloting skills, non-compass navigation, assessment of conditions and safety techniques.
FUGUSUB INSTRUCTOR will cover more advanced safety techniques, more diverse operating conditions and theory. Surface support functions and techniques, monitoring skills, battery charging and full maintenance training, classroom skills, paperwork and more are included in this training. FUGUSUB INSTRUCTOR will be the ONLY level qualified to teach anyone how to use a fugusub and issue any level of fugusub certification card. THIS LEVEL OF INSTRUCTION WILL BE LIMITED TO COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS ONLY.
The fugusub brand name will become physically entrenched with each operating location established. Visually, they are hard to ignore. On water, they become ocular magnets. A destination that offers state-of-the-art entertainment has an advantage over those that do not. In the highly competitive world of tourism, having an edge makes a difference.
Each fugusub operating location will become part of a growing network of locations which will be listed on our fugusub website. This may prove a beneficial contact for individuals, travel agencies or others interested in booking fugusubs. Fugusubs can potentially be booked in travel packages with hotels, cruise ships, airlines, dive shops and more. This holds true whether you choose to operate from a resort, a dive shop, charter boats, docks or other shore locations.
If you are interested in being involved in establishing our primary fugusub operation or one subsequent to that, at your location of interest, contact us. You may be able to secure exclusive territorial rights by acting now. If your financial interest goes beyond the confines of one territory or location, please look at the section MANUFACURING RIGHTS. A fugusub empire can be built. Once the modest mechanism to build fugusubs is established and working, the products can be placed where they can continue to earn for years.
