Since most high speed underwater travel is done by military submarines, this is a somewhat difficult subject to research. In 1965 the USS Albacore reported a speed of 33 knots but this was not an official record. In 1968 there was an incident when a Russian November class submarine tracked an American carrier group travelling at 31 knots, this led to the United States Navy to develop the Los Angeles class submarines allegedly capable of 35 knots under the right conditions. A knot is a unit of speed, abbreviated kt or kn. ... The United States Navy (also known as USN or the U.S. Navy) is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for conducting naval operations. ... The Los Angeles-class attack submarines (SSN) are the most numerous class of nuclear powered submarines built by any nation, and form the bulk of the U.S. attack submarine force as of 2004. ...

There are established reports and manufacturer's claims that would indicate two (or perhaps more) Russian submarines are capable of speeds exceeding those set by US Navy vessels. The Akula class submarine (Russian word for Shark) class vessel is reportedly capable of travelling submerged at 35 knots and its predecessor, the Alfa class submarine, could reportedly attain short speed bursts of 44.7 knots while submerged. However, due to the rather secretive nature of these vessels, confirmations of these numbers is highly suspect and unlikely. Akula class submarine underway in the Baltic Sea Project 971 Щука-Б (Shuka-B, Shuka meaning pike, NATO reporting name Akula), is a nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) first deployed by the Soviet Navy in 1986. ... Alfa class submarine at sea. ...

The British Spearfish torpedo designed to counter high speed Russian submarines, such as the Alfa class submarine, is reputed to have a speed in excess of 70 kts (80 mph). The Russian rocket-powered supercavitating torpedo VA-111 Shkval is reportedly capable of speed in excess of 200 kts. The Spearfish torpedo is the heavy Acoustic homing torpedo used by the submarines of the Royal Navy. ... Alfa class submarine at sea. ... Supercavitation is the use of cavitation effects to create a large bubble of gas inside a liquid, allowing an object to travel at great speed through the liquid by being wholly enveloped by the bubble. ... The VA-111 Shkval (from Russian: шквал - squall) torpedo and its descendants are supercavitating torpedoes developed by the Russian Navy. ...

World's Fastest Underwater Straitjacket Escape

Australia's Ben Bradshaw, currently the holder of two Guinness World Records, performed his first Guinness World Record on April 17, 2005 on the set of Guinness World Records in Sydney. The challenge was to escape from a regulation straitjacket while submerged in a tank of water. If accomplished, Bradshaw would be setting the benchmark for future underwater escapes. The record was successfully performed in a speedy time of 38.59 seconds. The record was much-promoted and featured in one of the highest-rating episodes of the TV show. [1] Ben Bradshaw, (born December, 1982), is one of Australias leading corporate entertainers who specialises in making functions and corporate events fun and memorable for companies worldwide. ... Suresh Joachim, minutes away from breaking the ironing world record at 55 hours and 5 minutes, at Shoppers World, Brampton. ...

External links

• Guinness Book of World Records Travel & Transport, Ships & Submarines, Fastest Submarines Page