Atlantis Submarines, a tourist fixture in St. Thomas’ harbor since 1985, is going out of business on May 31.
The combination of the dismal economy and declining passenger numbers over the years "meant we did not have enough business to keep our operation afloat any longer," according to Gary Cram, general manager.
Since 1985, Atlantis submarines has been transporting visitors 85 feet below the water’s surface for a two-hour tour of coral reefs and marine life.
Last year, Atlantis Submarines had 30,000 customers, charging $75 per person and $45 per child under 12. However, the revenue was not enough to cover the high costs of maintaining the submarine, its permanent crew, support staff and auxiliary vessels, Cram said.
The bulk of the passengers were from cruise ships. Atlantis maintained a ticket office and retail shop at Havensight, where the cruise ships dock.
The submarine tour was named the best attraction in the U.S. Virgin Islands last year in a local newspaper poll.
Atlantis will continue to offer its three daily catamaran tours out of St. Thomas, but the shutdown of the sub business will put 25 people out of work, many of whom have been with Atlantis Submarines from the start, Cram said.
The company’s other submarine operations in the Caribbean (Aruba, Barbados, Cozumel, Curacao, Grand Cayman, St. John and St. Maarten), Guam and Hawaii (three on Oahu, one each on Kona and Maui) will remain in business.
Correction: The sub tour will cease operating on May 31.