Richard Branson Unveils Deep-Sea Sub in Newport

Billionaire adventurer Richard Branson of the Virgin Group came to the Newport Harbor Yacht Club on Tuesday to unveil a submarine designed to reach the deepest, unexplored parts of the world's oceans.

Over the next two years, Branson and businessman Chris Welsh plan to use the Virgin Oceanic submarine to explore five deep-sea trenches around the globe, ranging in depth from almost 18,400 feet to more than 36,200 feet.

"The last great challenge for humans is to reach and explore the depths of our planet's oceans," Branson said.

The first dive, with Welsh piloting the one-man craft to the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean, is set for later this year.

"These are the kinds of irresistible challenges that you have to say yes to," said Branson, who is set to make the second dive to the Atlantic Ocean's Puerto Rico Trench.

The undertaking aims to provide information about life forms and geography of the ocean depths, draw attention to issues that threaten ocean health and spark a general interest in deep-water exploration, Branson said. Several scientists are involved in the venture.

"We will discover a whole new world," Branson said, "a world full of undiscovered species."

The submarine measures about 18 feet long, travels at a top cruising speed of 3 knots and can dive 350 feet per minute. The descent to the 36,201-foot-deep Mariana Trench, for example, will take about five hours. When not exploring the ocean floor, the submarine will sit atop a mother ship—a 125-foot-long, 60-foot-wide catamaran.

Welsh, who said he was born and raised in Newport Beach, said he and Branson brought the sub here because the area's waters have the "right conditions" for further testing of the craft.

"It's a good place for what we are doing," he said.

Just how deep will the Virgin Oceanic dive? Click here for an infographic.