Nautilus 3 - Gdańsk students showcase muscle-powered submarine in the US
Students from the Korab Student Naval Engineering Society at Gdańsk University of Technology have unveiled their latest project – the Nautilus 3, a human-powered submarine presented at the prestigious International Submarine Races 2025 in Bethesda, USA.
In brief
The Korab Student Naval Engineering Society at Gdańsk University of Technology built Nautilus 3, a pedal-driven submarine, and took the craft to the International Submarine Races 2025 in Bethesda, USA. Nautilus 3 measures 2.8 metres long and 70 centimetres wide, with a polyester-glass laminate hull, carbon-reinforced control fins and a drive system adapted from a commercial SeaBike. Competing teams must complete a 100-metre underwater course on muscle power alone, with designs judged for speed, reliability and technical innovation. Korab, founded in 1924, is chaired by Jagoda Fuks.
The 2.8-metre craft, just 70 cm wide, is propelled by a diver-pilot pedalling a modified drive system derived from a commercial SeaBike. The hull is built from polyester-glass laminate, with carbon-reinforced control fins, while many structural and functional parts were 3D-printed from PLA and PETG. To achieve additional rigidity, the team integrated aluminium profiles and connectors supplied by ITEM.
- Testing our submarine in real competition conditions and exchanging knowledge with other teams worldwide has been invaluable, said Kacper Sułkowski, automation and robotics student at the Faculty of Electrical and Control Engineering.
At the races, each team must design a unique one- or two-person craft and complete a 100-metre underwater course using nothing but muscle power. Designs are judged for speed, reliability, and technical innovation.
Looking ahead, the Polish team is developing a modular concept that will allow the Nautilus 3 to be reconfigured “like Lego blocks” – from a sprint version to a manoeuvrable one, or length-adjusted to suit different pilots.
Founded in 1924, Korab is one of the oldest student societies of its kind in Poland, with projects ranging from solar hydrofoils to remote-controlled yachts. The group is currently chaired by Jagoda Fuks, under the supervision of Dr. Eng. Wojciech Leśniewski and Dr. Eng. Cezary Żrodowski.
Source: Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Kamil Kusier
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