SUBMARINE TOUR PROFESSIONAL
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These structures were reminiscent of church naves, and were nicknamed 'Dom' bunkers ( Dom being the German word for a cathedral). At the same time, in the trawler port, two large above-ground bunkers were constructed to protect U-boats that may require repairs or refit. Work commenced in November 1940, and the installation comprised two wet docks capable of accommodating the larger Type IX U-boat.

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However the trawler dock was in the open, and offered no protection from air raids, so work commenced on a series of enclosed pens protected by bomb-proof concrete roofs on the banks of the River Scorff, a branch of the Blavet, adjacent to the Lorient Arsenal( fr). The boatlift and turntable was designed to lift a pelagic trawler and could accommodate vessels up to 65 metres in length, just adequate to raise and carry a Type VII U-boat. This was a quayed inlet with a boat lift that could raise vessels out of the water, to be placed, via a turntable into one of twelve bays arranged in a circle.

The first area put into use as a U-boat dock was the fisherman's wharf of Keroman( fr) on the River Blavet, between the districts of Keroman and La Perriere. She was repaired and resupplied in 7 days, departing on her next patrol on 13 July.

U-30 had departed Wilhelmshaven on 8 June and arrived at Lorient on 7 July after a 30 day patrol which had accounted for 5 allied ships. A special train loaded with replenishment supplies and ordnance, and the personnel to manage them arrived in Lorient at the end of June, and the first U-boat, U-30 docked a week later. Already a French naval base, Lorient had the facilities Dönitz needed, as well as numerous cafes and bars, and a red-light district. Dönitz lost no time in sending teams of engineers and base personnel to the ports, beginning with Lorient. From the coast of France these distances were substantially reduced, with a corresponding increase in the active range and endurance of the U-boat force. Prior to this U-boats had to travel from ports in Germany to their patrol areas, losing valuable time in the long transits necessary. Height Restriction: Participants must be at least 3 feet tall.After the fall of France in June 1940 the head of Germany’s U-boat Arm, Konteradmiral Karl Dönitz, was keen to use the French Atlantic ports as forward bases for his U-boat force then engaged in a commerce war against the United Kingdom. Tour Restrictions: Wheelchair guests may participate if they are able to safely navigate an 11 step ladder into and out of the submarine. On surfacing, you are transferred back onboard the Ocean Quest for the return to Shallow Draught. Create amazing unforgettable memories as you are piloted among an array of colourful coral formations, and tropical marine life.

Before returning to the surface, you explore the large expanses of sea floor as if it is your playground. A knowledgeable co-pilot narrates the 40 minute underwater adventure and will help you to identify the amazing sights on the other side of your window. This unique “must-do” undersea voyage, can take you to a shipwreck and to depths of 150 feet, which in the past has been reserved only for scuba divers. After securing the hatches and being seated in the air-conditioned comfort of a real submarine, the call is made to: “Dive! Dive! Dive!” You are now fully submerged in the aquamarine Caribbean Sea with large viewports all around, as curious exotic fish peek in at you and sea fans sway. The vessels tie up alongside each other and you make the easy transfer from the Ocean Quest to the Atlantis Submarine.

SUBMARINE TOUR PROFESSIONAL

Sit back and enjoy the brief boat ride to the Atlantis dive site along the scenic coastline, as the professional crew welcomes you and gives a safety briefing. On the hour we invite you to board our transfer vessel the Ocean Quest, which will take you to the submarine. Experience the award-winning Atlantis submarine tour which is one of the most highly-recommended attractions in Barbados for adults and children (Min height 3 feet.).

Submarine tour