Shark diving vehicle

Abstract

An underwater viewing boat has a large top surface and a convenient large port opening onto an underwater viewing cage extending downwardly from the boat. The top of the viewing cage remains open such that free entry or exit therefrom is available. Preferably the cage is movable between a raised transport position and a downwardly extending viewing position. The participants use a hookah respiratory system which is safe and does not require extensive training.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:  
     
         1 . A boat for underwater viewing comprising an above water platform, an access port through said platform, a protective cage extending below said boat and aligned with said access port, said cage including an open top aligned with said access port and extendable downwardly therefrom to form an underwater extension of said port.  
     
     
         2 . A boat for underwater viewing as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said cage is movable between a viewing position with sad cage extending downwardly from said platform and the open top of said cage generally at the level of said platform to a transport position with said cage in a raised position and extending above said platform.  
     
     
         3 . A boat for underwater viewing as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said cage when positioned in said viewing position extends at least 8 feet below said platform.  
     
     
         4 . A boat for underwater viewing as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said cage is slidably mounted in said access port for movement between said viewing position and said transport position.  
     
     
         5 . A boat for underwater viewing as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said cage is sized for approximately 4 ccupants.  
     
     
         6 . A boat as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said cage ncludes escape ladders provided within said cage.  
     
     
         7 . A boat as claimed in  claim 1  including a respiratory system for underwater breathing within said cage.  
     
     
         8 . A boat as claimed in  claim 7  wherein said respiratory system is a hookah respiratory system.  
     
     
         9 . A boat as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said cage in said viewing position is open through said access port to said platform and is sized to allow multiple users to simultaneously exit from said cage.  
     
     
         10 . A boat as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said respiratory system includes breathing outlets for at least 4 users.  
     
     
         11 . A boat as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said cage extends at least 8 feet below said boat.  
     
     
         12 . A boat as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said cage is a shark cage.  
     
     
         13 . A boat as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said access port is located interior to the periphery of said platform.  
     
     
         14 . A boat as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said boat is a pontoon boat and said access port is located between pontoons of said boat.  
     
     
         15 . A boat as claimed in  claim 14  wherein said cage is sized to accommodate at least 4 occupants.  
     
     
         16 . A boat as claimed in  claim 15  including an underwater camera for viewing an area adjacent to said cage.  
     
     
         17 . A boat as claimed in  claim 15  including an underwater camera viewing said cage and a monitor on said platform displaying the image of said underwater camera.  
     
     
         18 . A boat as claimed in  claim 15  including an automated lift arrangement for raising and lowering of said cage.  
     
     
         19 . A boat as claimed in  claim 7  wherein said respiratory system is a scuba, snuba or snorkel respiratory system.