The Port of La Luz has once again demonstrated why it is the epicenter of ship repair in the Atlantic. While commercial ships and oil platforms dominate the horizon, in the docks of Zamakona Yards rests a unique piece of world engineering: the Bakunawa. This submersible is the only manned vehicle capable of repeatedly descending to depths of 11,500 meters, having already conquered the Challenger Deep, the deepest point on Earth in the Mariana Trench.
The presence of the Bakunawa (formerly known as Factor Límite) is not a coincidence. It is part of the ambitious scientific fleet of Inkfish, the marine research organization founded by video game magnate and former Microsoft programmer, Gabe Newell (creator of milestones such as Half-Life and Fortnite).
Built by Triton Submarines, the Bakunawa is a 12-ton gem designed to withstand crushing pressures. Its titanium hull has a thickness of 90 millimeters, allowing its crew to operate safely on missions of up to 12 consecutive hours. Through its three acrylic portholes, explorers like Victor Vescovo or the current pilot, Kate Wawatai (the woman who has gone the deepest in history), have been able to observe previously unseen species, such as the ‘flying spaghetti monster’ or the transparent octopus.
The choice of the Canary platform in Las Palmas for this commissioning underscores the specialization of the local workforce. Zamakona Yards carries out the work under a strict confidentiality protocol, focused on reviewing critical immersion systems, high-power LED lights, and low-light detection cameras.
This operation not only attracts the attention of the international scientific community to Gran Canaria but also reaffirms the capability of the island shipyards to manage high-level scientific philanthropy projects. The Bakunawa, which has already mapped 750,000 square meters of ocean floor and discovered 40 new species, will leave Las Palmas ready to continue revealing the secrets hidden in the five great trenches of the oceans.
