The International Submarine Races

The 13th International Submarine Races were hosted at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Maryland, drawing participants from across the globe to champion the field of marine engineering. This competition serves as a catalyst for the design, construction, and racing of human-powered submarines at the specialized marine testing facility. I had the privilege of serving on the dive team managing the safety and logistics of the event alongside the Navy divers.

Our first day was dedicated to the meticulous setup of all the dive and emergency equipment at the testing basin — an expansive underground pool spanning a quarter-mile in length. We were introduced to Charlotte George, the program director, and Jim Corey, the racing announcer, who were instrumental in coordinating with the Department of Defense to prepare for the week. Teams from the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Netherlands, Oman, New Zealand, and various parts of the U.S. were fervently fine-tuning their dive plans and unloading their submarines, shipped in from different corners of the world.

Each race involved a choreographed lowering of the fleet of submarines into the water. Given their human-powered design, most of the submarines were equipped with cycling pedals that rotated propellers, driving the vessels forward through the water column. Once inside, the pilots awaited the start of each race, signaled by a piercing underwater bell. The submarines would then take off — a test of both diver endurance and the hydrodynamics of each vessel. At the end of each race, the basin resounded with applause, a joyful celebration of the many months of dedication leading up to that moment.

Over the course of the week, my responsibilities included lifeguarding, inspecting dive and submarine equipment, and tracking their movements underwater. The event exuded a positive atmosphere of sportsmanship, providing a unique opportunity to witness human ingenuity and teamwork on a global scale. Meeting the racers, Navy divers, and spending time with the Malkoski family made this an unforgettable week. I can’t wait for the next races!