Created in 2009, Platypus Craft develops and markets a nautical concept of semi-submersibles to navigate both on and under water. The company is positioned on three distinct markets: environmental protection, nautical leisure and cleaning of ships afloat. It therefore offers two distinct brands: Platypus Craft and Remora Craft.
The Platybus
The Platypus is a versatile boat offering all the qualities of a motorized boat on the surface and the possibility of sailing underwater in a semi-submersible position. This catamaran is equipped with a central part connected to each float by tilting arms allowing a high and a low position. The naval architect Marc Van Peteghem designed the first Platybus.
The Platypus allows an environmental action
The Platypus allows you to quickly fly over the areas to locate the pollution areas and clean them up in 4 different ways:
- In the surface position, the Platybus collects floating waste from the front,
- In the semi-submersible "collection" position, the platybus collects the waste in sustenance (up to 2 meters deep),
- In the semi-submersible "operator" position, the pilot on the gondola navigates and follows an operator who cleans the seabed with an underwater vacuum cleaner.
- In the semi-submersible "overflight" position, the pilot on the gondola navigates and pilots an underwater vacuum cleaner that flies over the bottom and cleans it.
The diving world is accessible to all in safety. It is driven like a boat and does not require diving tanks under water thanks to the air compressor.
The Platybus is adapted to the needs of seaside resorts that wish to maintain their coastline but also to the leisure market for large premium resorts (Club Med, Hyatt, Four Seasons as well as large cruise lines like Royal Caribbean). Wealthy individuals as well as owners of large yachts may also be interested in this small semi-submersible catamaran.
Fundraising
After completing a first capital increase with investment funds, including Kima Ventures (Xavier Niel's fund managed by Jérémie Berrebi), for the development of the first prototype. Platypus Craft wishes to finalize the design of the latest version of Platypus for a first commercial launch on the environmental and leisure markets in 2015.
Later on, the company intends to diversify the range with the design and launch of the "Cruiser" version of the Platypus and the development of the Remora.
