VietNamNet Bridge – While scientists have repeatedly urged putting the Truong Sa mini submarine into experiment at sea, appropriate authorities still don’t know how to proceed.

Home-made mini submarine: AIP technology remains a question

Nguyen Vinh Dao, a senior official of the Thai Binh provincial Science & Technology Department, said he himself is at a loss as to where to begin, because the current law does not stipulate required standards for submarines.

Dao suggests that Nguyen Quoc Hoa, inventor of the submarine, files a petition to the Thai Binh provincial People’s Committee asking for permission to experiment with the submarine. The provincial authorities will decide which agencies must take responsibility for dealing with the case.

In case Truong Sa only undergoes tests at sea, while Hoa does not intend to register his submarine, he will only have to ask permission from the border guards.

As such, it is still unclear when the submarine can receive a license to go to the open sea.

Meanwhile, Hoa affirms that he and his submarine are ready for testing at sea.

Engineer Do Thai Binh, a Member of the HCM City Association of Marine Science and Technology, and Member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME), has asserted that the experiment would not be as technically complicated as people think.

“First, Hoa needs to make a report showing the details of the steps he plans to take to have the submarine undergo testing. Hoa will have to carry out the field work to be sure that no mud, sand, water plants or mosses can pose an obstacle to the test,” Binh said.

“Second, a ship or canoe must escort the submarine and be responsible for warning nearby ships of the ongoing experiment. Once the submarine dives, it would be safe, because there would be no one else except Hoa,” he continued.

However, Binh warned that the AIP test would be a dangerous experiment. He thinks it would be better to test the technology in a closed room. In case Hoa still decides to test it at sea, Hoa will have to accept the risk to both the submarine and his life.

Binh, who says he admires Hoa’s efforts, indicated that the capabilities of the submarine to float on water, move smoothly, dive and surface are enough to be encouraged.

Even if the next experiments proceed successfully, Truong Sa would still have a long way to go. In order to be registered, the submarine will have to get the approval of a scientific council.

Sharing the same view with Binh, Doctor of Physics Nguyen Van Khai, who has been to Thai Binh to see the Truong Sa submarine with his own eyes, has called on appropriate agencies to let Hoa to conduct other necessary experiments.

When asked if the tests are life threatening, Khai said he does not think there are any problems with the submarine. “I have been watching the production of the submarine and I know Hoa is very cautious in his work,” he said. “I might even be tempted to ask for permission to sit in the cabin with Hoa during the experiment,” he added.

Dat Viet