Australian based RPC has recently lent their expertise to develop a secure top hat to be placed over the open conning tower hatch of the World War I Australian submarine, HMAS AE2’s (the Silent ANZAC).
For the first time in 100 years the submarine conning tower hatch was opened in June 2014.
The wreck is intact, sitting upright in 73 meters of water in the Sea of Marmara where it fell in battle on 30 April 1915.
RPC Technologies undertook the work on a pro bono basis, with the design, specialist fabrication and manufacturing being undertaken at its Corio facility.
The ‘top hat’ (hatch), specially designed and manufactured by RPC in glass reinforced plastic (‘GRP’), fits over the open conning tower hatch to prevent unauthorised entry to the submarine.
The top hat also has anti-corrosion properties to contend with both the rigours and sensitivities of a marine environment at a depth of some 73 metres.
There were also special design requirements to shape and provide slots within the new hatch to allow for normal water current flow and to provide unimpeded access for marine creatures.
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The design, specialist fabrication and manufacturing was undertaken RPC's Corio facility.