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

Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV) MK 6

Man in the Sea Museum

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV) MK 6 Marker

Inscription.
The SDV MK 6 was the U.S. Navy’s experimental SDV. After SDV testing and development, production began on the SDV MK 7.

The SDV MK 6 was a gutted PR-77 rebuilt from the inside out with a range of experimental systems. The round fiberglass hull had a superior guidance system but proved to be difficult to stabilize and too small for crew and cargo. The hull was extended 4 ft to carry 4 men and a completely new tail configuration was added, to make it much more like a submarine.

Unfortunately, the SCUBA worn by the occupants for the deep demolition work left a tell-tale bubble trail.

After the roll out of the SDV MK 7, the SDV MK 6 was used as a test=bed.

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

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 30° 13.949′ N, 85° 53.611′ W. Marker is in Panama City Beach, Florida, in Bay County. It is at the intersection of Panama City Beach Parkway (U.S. 98) and Heather Drive, on the right when traveling west on Panama City Beach Parkway. 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 Parkway, Panama City 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.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV) MK 7 (here, next to this marker); Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV) MK VIII (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); US Navy Sealab Program (a few steps from this marker); Mark I Deep Dive System (DDS) (a few steps from 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 of all markers in Panama City Beach.

Also see . . .
1. SEAL Delivery Vehicles. Navy Seal Museum website entry (Submitted on August 12, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

2. Man in the Sea Museum. Westend PCB website entry (Submitted on August 12, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV) MK 6 Marker

Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV) interior image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

3. Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV) interior

Credits. This page was last revised on October 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 228 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 12, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.