James Bond-style luxury super yacht doubles as a SUBMARINE to allow meetings in complete secrecy

The key to being a James Bond-style evil genius is having a top-secret lair — but assuring freedom from prying eyes and pesky spies as you plot total world domination can be a challenge. 

A solution may lie in a new luxury super yacht being developed in Italy that can double as a submarine — assuring complete privacy for the rich, famous or villainous as it descends discretely beneath the waves.

The decadent hybrid vessel design — which has been dubbed ‘Carapace’ — is nearly eight times the length of a London bus, can submerge to a depth of 985 feet (300 m) and stay there for up to 10 days at a time.

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A new luxury super yacht being developed in Italy can double as a submarine — assuring complete privacy for the rich and famous as it descends discretely beneath the waves. Pictured, the Carapace can dive to a maximum depth of 985 feet

The decadent hybrid vessel design — which has been dubbed 'Carapace' — is nearly eight times the length of a London bus, can submerge to depths of 985 feet (300 m) and stay there for up to 10 days at a time

The decadent hybrid vessel design — which has been dubbed ‘Carapace’ — is nearly eight times the length of a London bus, can submerge to depths of 985 feet (300 m) and stay there for up to 10 days at a time

Diplomats and business bosses can step on-board the vessel to hold important meetings and 'define agreements or treaties in complete secrecy,' the designers boast. Pictured, the dining/meeting area and bar

Diplomats and business bosses can step on-board the vessel to hold important meetings and ‘define agreements or treaties in complete secrecy,’ the designers boast. Pictured, the dining/meeting area and bar

The 256 foot- (78 metre-) long yacht — which has a light aluminium superstructure — will offer stunning underwater views as it glides down to a maximum depth of almost around 985 feet (300 metres). Pictured, the Carapace's lounge

The 256 foot- (78 metre-) long yacht — which has a light aluminium superstructure — will offer stunning underwater views as it glides down to a maximum depth of almost around 985 feet (300 metres). Pictured, the Carapace’s lounge

WHAT ARE THE SPECS OF THE CARAPACE? 

Length: 256 feet (78 m) 

Top speed (surface): 16 knots

Top speed (submerged): 13 knots

Range: 2,400 miles (3,862 km) 

Max. dive time: 10 days

Max. depth: 985 feet (300 m) 

Build: Aluminium superstructure 

Cost: Hundreds of millions of pounds

Amenities:  Pool, spa, gym, lounge

Diplomats and business bosses can step on-board the vessel to hold important meetings and ‘define agreements or treaties in complete secrecy,’ the designers boast.

The 256 foot- (78 metre-) long yacht, which has a light aluminium superstructure, will offer stunning underwater views as it glides down to a maximum depth of almost around 985 feet (300 metres). 

Passengers can enjoy the craft’s luxurious amenities — including VIP cabins, a lounge, a spa, a bar and gym.

When the Carapace surfaces, the top deck becomes available for guests to enjoy views of ocean from one of its many sun loungers, or take a dip in the infinity pool that looks out from the the vessel’s stern.

The hybrid super yacht — which is expected to have a price tag somewhere in the hundreds of millions of pounds when built — is the brain-child of Trieste-based designer Elena Nappi, 34, of the Italian ship building company Fincantieri.

According to the developers, the vessel is also designed to accommodate passengers with limited mobility.

Passengers can enjoy the craft's luxurious amenities — including VIP cabins, a lounge, a spa, a bar and gym. Pictured, the Carapace's intricately covered top deck

Passengers can enjoy the craft’s luxurious amenities — including VIP cabins, a lounge, a spa, a bar and gym. Pictured, the Carapace’s intricately covered top deck

The hybrid super yacht — which is expected to have a price tag somewhere in the hundreds of millions of pounds when built — is the brain-child of Trieste-based designer Elena Nappi, 34, of the Italian ship building company Fincantieri

The hybrid super yacht — which is expected to have a price tag somewhere in the hundreds of millions of pounds when built — is the brain-child of Trieste-based designer Elena Nappi, 34, of the Italian ship building company Fincantieri

When the Carapace surfaces, the top deck becomes available for guests to enjoy views of ocean from one of its many sun loungers — or take a dip in the infinity pool that looks out from the the vessel's stern, pictured

When the Carapace surfaces, the top deck becomes available for guests to enjoy views of ocean from one of its many sun loungers — or take a dip in the infinity pool that looks out from the the vessel’s stern, pictured

Diplomats and business bosses can step on-board the vessel to hold important meetings and 'define agreements or treaties in complete secrecy,' the designers boast. Pictured, the blueprints of the hybrid vessel

Diplomats and business bosses can step on-board the vessel to hold important meetings and ‘define agreements or treaties in complete secrecy,’ the designers boast. Pictured, the blueprints of the hybrid vessel

The hybrid super yacht — which is expected to have a price tag somewhere in the hundreds of millions of pounds when built — is the brain-child of Trieste-based designer Elena Nappi, 34, of the Italian ship building company Fincantieri

The hybrid super yacht — which is expected to have a price tag somewhere in the hundreds of millions of pounds when built — is the brain-child of Trieste-based designer Elena Nappi, 34, of the Italian ship building company Fincantieri

‘The submarine is a naval vehicle designed to navigate both on the surface and in diving. That is, it is able to move and operate both on the surface of the sea, like all other ships, and under water,’ said Ms Nappi.

‘Whoever buys a boat does not need just a boat, but needs the sea, to feel free, to dream, needs emotions, to feel fulfilled and appreciated.’

They also have need, she continued, of ‘supplies to stay away for a long time, of security, of prestige, of comfort, of beautiful experiences.’

‘Today with the run-up to ever larger boats to show off at the port, contact with water has been lost and it is time to restore it.’

The 256 foot- (78 metre-) long yacht — which has a light aluminium superstructure — will offer stunning underwater views as it glides down to a maximum depth of almost around 985 feet (300 metres)

The 256 foot- (78 metre-) long yacht — which has a light aluminium superstructure — will offer stunning underwater views as it glides down to a maximum depth of almost around 985 feet (300 metres)

Passengers can enjoy the craft's luxurious amenities — including VIP cabins, a lounge, a spa, a bar and gym

Passengers can enjoy the craft’s luxurious amenities — including VIP cabins, a lounge, a spa, a bar and gym

Passengers can enjoy the craft's luxurious amenities — including VIP cabins, a lounge, a spa, a bar and gym

Passengers can enjoy the craft’s luxurious amenities — including VIP cabins, a lounge, a spa, a bar and gym

The decadent hybrid vessel design — which has been dubbed 'Carapace' — is nearly eight times the length of a London bus, can submerge to depths of 985 feet (300 m) and stay there for up to 10 days at a time

The decadent hybrid vessel design — which has been dubbed ‘Carapace’ — is nearly eight times the length of a London bus, can submerge to depths of 985 feet (300 m) and stay there for up to 10 days at a time

The 256 foot- (78 metre-) long yacht — which has a light aluminium superstructure — will offer stunning underwater views as it glides down to a maximum depth of almost around 985 feet (300 metres)

The 256 foot- (78 metre-) long yacht — which has a light aluminium superstructure — will offer stunning underwater views as it glides down to a maximum depth of almost around 985 feet (300 metres)

The hybrid super yacht — which is expected to have a price tag somewhere in the hundreds of millions of pounds when built — is the brain-child of Trieste-based designer Elena Nappi, 34, of the Italian ship building company Fincantieri

The hybrid super yacht — which is expected to have a price tag somewhere in the hundreds of millions of pounds when built — is the brain-child of Trieste-based designer Elena Nappi, 34, of the Italian ship building company Fincantieri