Teen builds working submarine from scrap
An inventive 18-year-old boy has unveiled his latest creation to the world - a fully functioning one-man submarine.
Justin Beckerman, a high school student from New Jersey built the underwater vessel dubbed The Nautilus, with lightweight corrugated plastic used in drainage pipes and has successfully kept it afloat on Lake Hopatcong.
Justin spent six months and nearly $2,000 (£1,300) perfecting the nine-foot-long, 1,300-pound submarine which can dive up to depths of 30 feet.
The aspiring engineer is yet to pressure test The Nautilus in the water but has been intent on making the vessel ship-shape. Its safety features include pumps and a breathing hose for if the underwater craft floods.
Justin's new invention features ballast tanks to control the height in the water, air compressors, sonar, paddles, regulators and valves from an old soda machine, float sensors, four battery systems, a horn, a two-way radio, a PA system, a wireless camera and 200 watts of LED lighting.
Using a motor from a fishing boat and making the Plexiglas dome from sky lights, the resourceful student has been nicknamed MacGyver, after a fictional secret agent known for his inventive use of everyday items.
"I wanted to see what I could build and figure out how I could build it," Justin told MyFox, New Jersey.
Despite having previously made a remote-controlled sub, the inventor had a hard time convincing his father but managed to get him on board with the plan and even offered to partially fund the project.
Justin is now collecting a few more parts in preparation for submerging his latest treasure and says: "I'm not nervous, I'm very excited. I have a safety checklist, just like airplane pilots."
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