Plan to build world's biggest and deepest pool in Cornwall
Blue Abyss will test the latest underwater technology, help advance subsea robotics and even train astronauts!
Last updated 4th Jun 2021
The world's biggest and deepest pool for testing the latest underwater technology, helping advance subsea robotics and even training astronauts is being planned in Cornwall.
Blue Abyss would be the world's leading extreme environment research, test and training centre serving the offshore energy, marine, defence and space sectors.
The ÂŁ150 million facility is planned for the Aerohub Enterprise Zone at Cornwall Airport Newquay.
It is expected to create 160 jobs, pump ÂŁ50m of build costs into Cornwall and generate ÂŁ8m a year for the local economy.
Blue Abyss will appeal to a range of markets by simulating extreme environments in a safe and controlled setting and include the world's first commercial astronaut training centre!
What do we know about Blue Abyss?
Blue Abyss would occupy a 10-acre site on the Aerohub Business Park at Cornwall Airport Newquay. Spaceport Cornwall is located on the same site.
It will house the world's largest and deepest indoor pool, measuring 40m by 50m on the surface, with a 16m wide shaft plunging to a depth of 50m.
A sliding roof and 30-tonne crane will allow large objects to be lowered into the pool, from simulated sections of the International Space Station to underwater film sets and even cave systems to test remote operated vehicles or train deep sea divers.
The pool's temperature, lighting and salinity can all be controlled to simulate different conditions, including different currents at varied depths.
The pool holds 42,000 cubic litres of water, or 42 million litres. That's enough to fill 17 Olympic-sized swimming pools or make 168 million cups of tea.
The project will support 160 jobs and the average salary at Blue Abyss will be ÂŁ42,500, more than twice the average wage in Cornwall.
Blue Abyss is an investment of ÂŁ150m into Cornwall, with ÂŁ50m of build costs going into the Cornish economy during the 18 month construction phase.
Once open, Blue Abyss will generate an estimated ÂŁ8 million for the local economy every year.
The project is applying for planning permission to Cornwall Council and aims to open by 2023.
Blue Abyss is the brainchild of ex-forces diving instructor and management consultant, John Vickers, and has the support of British astronaut Major Tim Peake, who sits on the Blue Abyss Advisory Board.
Tim Peake said: "I am proud to be part of the Blue Abyss team and I am delighted to see the project take such an important step forward with today's announcement.
"Cornwall is the perfect home for Blue Abyss, a region with great potential for its space, aerospace and renewable energy ambitions.
"This project will join Goonhilly Earth Station and Spaceport Cornwall as significant national assets, creating a deep sea and space research, training and test facility, as well as fantastic educational resource, helping to widen our knowledge of how humans and technology can function in extreme environments, for the benefit of people and the planet".
Astronaut, Major Tim Peake
John Vickers, Chief Executive of Blue Abyss, said: "We're planning a globally unique facility with a wide range of potential uses that tap into so many of the industries that Cornwall and the South West are known for.
"Blue Abyss will be a huge research asset for aerospace, offshore energy, underwater robotics, human physiology, defence, leisure and marine industries, and a fantastic education centre for children and university students.
"Cornwall already feels like our natural home and we're delighted to have received such a warm response".
Chief Executive of Blue Abyss, John Vickers
Blue Abyss is in negotiation with Cornwall Council to acquire four adjacent plots on the Aerohub Business Park, next to Cornwall Airport Newquay.
The 10-acre site would house the pool, astronaut training centre, human performance centre, hypobaric and hyperbaric chambers, microgravity suite, training centre with six classrooms, workshops, onsite catering and accommodation facilities.
It has been designed by British architect Robin Partington, who led the design team for The Gherkin, one of London's most striking buildings.
Blue Abyss is in the process of applying for planning permission at the Aerohub Enterprise Zone.
Construction would take approximately 18 months to complete with a view to being open in 2023.