[brian eiland]

Tom Perkins’ quest for a super toy led him to Graham Hawkes’ laboratory. His personal account on the collaboration that resulted in a vessel with unprecedented agility and style.

Google is fantastic at finding things, and when started to look for a sports submersible, the name Graham Hawkes, the scientist/owner of Hawkes Ocean Technologies, popped up immediately. His idea for an underwater aeroplane that would “fly” swiftly to depths of hundreds of feet was totally unique and exciting compared with the underwater “balloons” that comprise virtually all of the alternatives.

Conventional submersibles are essentially underwater elevators that rise and sink by changing their buoyancy and they tend to creep along the bottom at very low speeds, unable to operate against even modest currents. I wanted a fighter jet, not a blimp! The idea of a swift winged sub that is always positively buoyant, and hence intrinsically safe, that could be used like a sports car for rapid dives and exploration with a minimum of preparation and effort, was sound.

Just one problem: while Graham had the patents for the idea of winged underwater flight, only prototypes had been built. If I wanted one, I would have to participate in its development. As baseball player Yogi Berra famously said, “It’s déjà vu all over again.” This would be a little like developing the DynaRig or the Maltese Falcon. It seems that I am addicted to such high-risk projects.

I met with Graham at his California laboratory, and with a handshake, I made the deal to proceed. I think one of the reasons I decided to go ahead was that, independently, and never having heard of me, Graham had named his new design the Super Falcon. It would be a perfect addition to our complement of toys aboard the yacht.