This page also lists useful reference books that are still in print and can be ordered from several different websites. The website link to a convenient order house is provided if you click on each book.

1. American Bureau of Shipping  

  Rules for Building and Classing Underwater Vehicles, Systems and

 Hyperbaric Facilities - 2002

AVAILABLE as PDF Download. Click on ABS LOGO for full list of ABS Rules. Look up Publication #7 for submersibles.

2. Lloyds Registry  

  Rules and Regulations for the Construction and Classification of

Click on LOGO to go to the Lloyds Registry website. The submersible rules are listed in the OFFSHORE group. Available in hard copy.

3. Germanischer Lloyds 

  RULES & GUIDELINES 2006

    I - Ship Technology

        Part 5 - Underwater Technology

                   Chapter 2: Submersibles

 III - Naval Ship Technology

       Part 2 - Preliminary Rules for Sub-Surface Ship

                  Chapter 1: Submarines

AVAILABLE as PDF Download. Click on LOGO for full Index of GL Rules.

4. ASME  PVHO-1-2002

  SAFETY STANDARD for PRESSURE VESSELS FOR HUMAN OCCUPANCY

  ASME Book

Click on LOGO for ASME hard copy of Rules.

5. ASME  PVHO-2-2003

  Safety Standard for Pressure vessel for Human Occupancy:

  In-Sevice PVHO Acrylic Window Guidelines

Click on LOGO for ASME hard copy of Rules. No PDF available.

6. ASME - Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code - Section VIII

  BPVC - VIII - 2004 BPVC Section VIII - 

  Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels Division 1

Click on LOGO for ASME hard copy of Rules. No PDF available.

7. IACS - International Assoc. Classification Societies

  What are Classification Societies

Click on LOGO for ABS produced PDF file explaining IACS and the various classification societies worldwide. Excellent Overview.

1. HANDBOOK of ACRYLICS

 of Submersibles, Hyperbaric Chambers and Aquaria

by
Dr. Jerry D. Stachiw, P.E., B.S., M.S., D.Ed
Fellow ASME, Hon. Member ASME Board on Pressure Technology Codes and Standards Pressure Vessels for Human Occupancy

A must have for anyone seriously working with acrylic, whether for submersible viewports, pressure or medical chambers. This book contains everything that was learned on acrylics in the past 40 years. The material in this book formed the basis of the PVHO rules. We are all blessed that Dr. Stachiw took the time to put this treasure together.

2. Safety of Tourist Submersibles

Safety of Tourist Submersibles (Paperback)
by Marine Board 

Publisher: National Academies Press (December 1, 1990)

Published in 1990, at the height of production of tourist submersibles, this book examines the development of the tourist submarines industry throughout the world and explores the problems involved with strengthening the Coast Guard's capability of providing the oversight and expertise needed to certify and inspect tourist submersibles.

3. American Deep Submersible Operations

The History of American Deep Submersible Operations (Paperback)
by Will Forman

Publisher: Best Pub Co; 1 edition (September 1, 1999)

Will Forman provides a detailed account of the deep submersibles of the early years. It has good stories but provides a detailed chronological history of the diving activities of each submersible. A fantastic reference book about many subs and a great read.

4. Future Needs in Deep Submergence Science:

   Occupied and Unoccupied Vehicles in Basic

   Ocean Research

Committee on Future Needs in Deep Submergence Science (Paperback)
by National Research Council 

Publisher: National Academies Press (2004)  

Deep-diving manned submersibles, such as Alvin, which gained worldwide fame when researchers used it to reach the wreck of the Titanic, have helped advance deep-ocean science. But many scholars in this field have noted that the number and capabilities of today's underwater vehicles no longer meet current scientific demands.