Client Name: National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT)
Summary of the Project
Unique Group has successfully engineered and delivered a DNV-compliant Human Support and Safety System (HSSS) for MATSYA 6000—India’s first manned submersible rated for a depth of 6000 meters. Commissioned by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, this milestone project positions India as one of only the sixth nation worldwide to develop deep-sea manned submersible capabilities.
Client Requirement
NIOT, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, aimed to develop a 6000-meter sea water (MSW) depth-rated manned submersible (MATSYA 6000) to carry three personnel. The project required the design, supply, installation, commissioning, and training for a human support and safety system capable of providing 12 hours of operational endurance and 96 hours of emergency endurance within the confined space of the submersible. After evaluation of Unique Group’s proposal, the client selected Unique Group as the technology partner for this project owing to our expertise and technical capability.
Challenges Faced
- Space Constraints in the Submersible: The team had to engineer a solution to accommodate a comprehensive life support system for three occupants in a limited interior volume.
- Ultra-High Pressure: The designed system had to operate at high pressure as the submersible withstands 600 bar pressure at its operating depth.
- Strict Classification Compliance: Ensuring all systems meet the high standards set by DNV for deep-sea human-rated submersibles.
- Engineering Complexity: Achieving seamless integration, safety, and redundancy without compromising the operations of the submersible.
Unique Solution Delivered
Unique Group rose to the challenge NIOT had by designing a highly compact, integrated, and modular life support system. The MATSYA 6000 is designed to carry three personnel within a 2.1-meter internal diameter personnel sphere, maintaining a 1 atm internal pressure while withstanding extreme external pressures at ocean depths of up to 6000 meters. Unique Group was entrusted with the end-to-end development of a life support system capable of 12 hours of operational endurance and 96 hours of emergency life support—within extremely confined space and under strict regulatory requirements.
A full-scale prototype mock-up was developed at Unique Group’s facility for early validation and refinement. The final system was successfully tested and qualified during the first Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) in the presence of DNV surveyors in November 2024.
The Human Support and Safety System (HSSS) package delivered included:
- Oxygen Supply System (Developed in-house)
- Carbon Dioxide Scrubbing System (Developed in-house)
- Dehumidification System (Developed in-house)
- Environmental Monitoring System (Custom-engineered for MATSYA 6000)
- Fire Extinguishing System (Project-specific customization)
- Emergency Breathing Apparatus (Modified for deep -submersible application)
Each subsystem was tailored specifically to meet the operational demands and footprint constraints of the MATSYA 6000.
The innovative design opens opportunities for applications in strategic, military, and tourist submersibles, enhancing India’s capabilities in underwater exploration.
Benefits Delivered
- Pioneering Achievement: The project marks a milestone in India’s deep-sea exploration, making the country the sixth globally to develop a deep-water manned submersible.
- Optimized Space Utilization: Unique Group’s engineering expertise enabled the development of a compact, highly efficient life support system tailored to confined environments. It is a benchmark example of compact life-support engineering under extreme design constraints.
- DNV Regulatory Compliance: The solution adheres to DNV class product certification standards, ensuring safety and reliability for extended underwater missions.
By successfully delivering this project, Unique Group has reinforced its position as a leader in underwater engineering solutions, paving the way for future advancements in deep-sea exploration technology.
Client Testimonial
The HSSS was successfully operated during harbour trials of MATSYA 6000, supporting three personnel over a continuous 3-hour test. NIOT expressed its appreciation:
“Cherishing the power of collaborative efforts and invaluable partnerships, NIOT acknowledges Unique Group’s successful commissioning of HSSS in an enclosed space with DNV approval and appreciates the achievement of Class Product certification for its application in MATSYA 6000.”
Client Name: National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT)
