Madness or genius? When François-Alexandre Bertrand he spoke for the first time of a vessel that could sail both above and below the sea, many thought he was crazy. Yet, after more than a decade of persistence and hard work, that “madness” is now a tangible reality. There platypus, a jewel of nautical engineering, is ready to rewrite the rules of marine exploration. But how do you go from a bizarre idea to a real vessel?
Buckle up (or maybe we should say “put on your fins”), because this story will take you on a journey through challenges, defeats and triumphs, just like the vessel it talks about.
From dream to reality: the birth of Platypus
Bertrand's journey was not a pleasure cruise. Like a sailor sailing against the wind, he faced skepticism, technical obstacles and financial challenges. But his vision of a vessel capable of offering the best of two worlds (the one above and the one below the sea) has never wavered.
Our vessel will allow enthusiasts to explore the wonders of the aquatic world without leaving footprints, fostering a deeper connection between humanity and marine life.
François-Alexandre Bertrand
The initial idea was to create a vessel that could lower its center section below the surface of the water, allowing passengers to explore the underwater world without the need for bulky equipment. Seems easy! Yet turning this concept into reality took years of planning and refinement. Until the first, controversial prototype.
The prototype that turned heads
In 2016, Bertrand presented a working prototype that raised more than a few eyebrows in the nautical world. 5,7 meters long and 2,46 meters wide, this first model was already capable of offering a unique experience. The lucky ones who tried it described the experience as "magical", despite some small technical inconveniences.
Initially, to demonstrate the feasibility of the concept in rough waters, Platypus opted for combustion engines. But the ultimate goal had always been to create an eco-sustainable vessel.
Now, fast forward (with the Covid pause in between) comes the recent partnership with Evoy, a Norwegian manufacturer of electric outboard motors: a crucial step towards fully realizing Bertrand's vision.
One boat, infinite possibilities
The versatility of Platypus is amazing. In addition to ecological tourism, this vessel is perfectly suited to marine research and wildlife observation. It allows you to study the behavior of fish or the health of coral reefs without disturbing the ecosystem: a dream come true for marine biologists and ecologists.
The game changer? Precisely the integration of the Evoy electric motors. With these, Platypus eliminates emissions, but above all reduces underwater noise pollution. This means being able to observe marine life in its most natural state, without the deafening noise of traditional engines that scares the fauna.
A new era for marine ecotourism
Platypus is a bridge between two worlds. It offers the opportunity to explore underwater wonders to those who have never dived, opening new horizons for ecotourism. At the same time, it provides a valuable tool for marine research and conservation.
Now we need to perfect the design, improve performance and above all work on the safety profiles: the Titan tragedy has become a leitmotif (in this case completely out of place), but you can never be too careful.
We start in 2025, it will be the year of the journey above and under the sea. Good luck, François.
