90-YEAR-OLD TO ACHIEVE UNDERWATER JAMES BOND DREAM

90-YEAR-OLD TO ACHIEVE UNDERWATER JAMES BOND DREAM

A 91-year-old is to ride a multi-million pound research vessel in a James Bond-style UNDERWATER adventure.

Daring Cliff Hubbard complied a bucket list of must-do activities to mark his 92nd birthday next week.

One of his dreams was to travel underwater and his family arranged for him to explore The Manacles reef off The Lizard in Cornwall next month in a special vessel.

Cliff, from Kirby Muxloe, Leics, will ride in an MSV Explorer which is capable of driving off the beach into the sea.

Once in the water passengers enjoy a 360-degree view from a pod beneath the waterline.

Son Paul, 50, said: “We’re all absolutely delighted about this. We’re made up.

“My dad is excited about it. He’s always said he’s not going to be around forever. He came up with a list of things to complete before his demise, you could say.

“He’s had an excellent life working in deep-sea rescue tugs with the navy but he’s never done anything like this before.”

The family got in touch with inventor Chris Garner, based in Exeter and he agreed for them to the use his shark-proof semi-submersible MSV Explorer.

Chris said: “This vessel is really one of a kind in the world.

“It is designed for research work and underwater documentary-makers. It’s great white shark-proof – the screen is two inches thick.

“When I was approached to help this gentleman, I thought, in the circumstances, that we would donate the craft free of charge.”

The family have got Bryn Adams, a diving instructor and director of Dive and Dine Adventures, who has experience testing MSV Explorer, to man the vessel.

He said: “When you’re going in and out of the water – that is very James Bond.

“When you’re underwater, you’ve got the experience of what its like without having to wear scuba kit.

“The Manacles is stunning. You’ve got the reef and all sorts of wildlife, including rays and sharks.

“We plan to go out for half an hour or an possibly an hour, depending on the tide.

“It’s a snug fit for four people. This really is going to be a once in a lifetime experience for him.”

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