Panama City Beach in Bay County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV) MK 7

Man in the Sea Museum

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV) MK 7 Marker

Inscription. The SDV MK 7 was the first successful submersible designed and produced by the U.S. Navy. The occupants wore a form of an oxygen rebreather that eliminated the bubble tail. The vertical design produced considerable stability and maneuverability.

The SDV MK 7 was used by Navy Special Operations Forces (SOF) and Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs) during the late 1960s and early 1970s, including during the Vietnam War.

Prior to 1968, the U.S. Navy imported SDVs from abroad, where they had been developed and perfected for many years.

Erected by Man in the Sea Museum and the History of Diving Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, Vietnam • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1970.

Location. 30° 13.949′ N, 85° 53.613′ W. Marker is in Panama City Beach, Florida, in Bay County. It is on Panama City Beach Parkway (U.S. 98) east of Heather Drive, on the right when traveling west. The marker is located in the parking lot of the Man in the Sea Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17314 Panama City Beach Pkwy, Panama City

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Beach FL 32413, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Panhandle.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV) MK VIII (here, next to this marker); Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV) MK 6 (here, next to this marker); Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV) MK 9 (here, next to this marker); Trieste II (DSV) (a few steps from this marker); Mark I Deep Dive System (DDS) (a few steps from this marker); US Navy Sealab Program (within shouting distance of this marker); Decompression Chamber (within shouting distance of this marker); Man in the Sea Museum History (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV) MK 7 Marker

of all markers in Panama City Beach.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

3. Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV) MK 7 Marker

Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV) MK 7 being deployed image. Click for full size.

Public Domain

4. Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV) MK 7 being deployed

Credits. This page was last revised on May 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 261 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 12, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.