Introducing the pedal power submarine

A team of university boffins have designed Britain's first human-powered submarine. The 10ft-long vessel carries one "pilot" who pedals a contraption similar to an exercise bike, reaching speeds of more than three knots (3.5mph).

The 10ft-long vessel carries one "pilot" who pedals a contraption similar to an exercise bike

The SeaBomb, was designed and built by a team of final-year engineering undergraduates from Bath University as their degree project.

In June they will take their machine to compete against 24 American subs in the International Submarine Races at a US Navy training base in Maryland.

The team are the only Europeans in the competition and aim to wrestle the underwater speed crown from the Americans for the first time.

Brainy Rob Templeton, 22, who hopes to pilot the craft, said the team were following a proud British tradition.

He said: "We are right up there in a great tradition of wacky British inventors.

"We're not sure what the Americans might come up with but, from the trials we've done, we're confident get can get it up to a very competitive speed.

"The only difficult thing is keeping it going in a straight line."

The SeaBomb is 10ft, three feet wide, three feet high and weighs 100 kilogrammes when dry.

However, it is a "wet" submarine, which means it is full of water when it moves and it then weighs 750kg to remain neutrally buoyant and not sink or float.

It moves as the pilot, who is reclined on an exercise bike-style machine, pumps pedals attached to pistons, while breathing using scuba kit.

The pistons power a "whale drive", designed by Rob, which moves four flexible fins at the front of the sub, which are much more energy efficient than a propeller.

Two T-shaped vertical fins at the rear of the craft allow the pilot to steer using a joystick and a basic sonar system acting as a depth indicator.

The Brits paid £500 to take part in the 9th International Submarine Races on June 25 at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in West Bethesda, Maryland, USA.

The centre houses a kilometre-long, 6.7-metre deep (22ft) testing pool which is filled with a mix of seawater and river water.

In their one-man non-propeller category, the British team will have a 30-metre run up before they start the 100-metre timed course, with the fastest time taking the honours.

However, if the team can demonstrate they can turn the sub safely, they will qualify for the slalom race and the chance for another prize.

But the only prize they get is a refund of their entry fee - and priceless bragging rights in the man-powered submarine world.

The team, who are still looking for sponsors to finance their trip, is Rob, of Hale, Hants.,

Alex Park, 23, of Brockenhurst, also Hants., John Wardle, 23, of Dulwich, London, James Smith, 24, Wilmslow, of Cheshire, and Trystan Eeles, 23, of Woodgreen, Hants.

Mr Templeton said The SeaBomb was, despite appearances, a comfortable ride but took a great deal of energy from the pilot.

"We thought it would be quite tight inside but it is actually not too bad.

"The difficulty is powering the thing. It's like running the 400m underwater.

"We have been working really hard on it so it would be an amazing culmination of all our efforts to go to America and win."