"Next time you see a dolphin playing off-shore, take a careful look because it just might be a Bionic Dolphin, with a V8 motor and a human being driving it from inside. Currently only found in Northern California, the Bionic Dolphin or VASH (Variable Attitude Submersible Hydrofoil) will soon be sold in watersports stores, enabling adventurers worldwide to experience underwater flight! The Bionic Dolphin was conceived in 1974 by Thomas A. Rowe (Doc to you), though prototype development did not begin until 1988 and the first prototype, "Noland Won" did not make its first historic “flight” until September 7, 1992 at Oak Bottom Marina on Whiskeytown Lake in Northern California. It was, according to Discover Magazine, "the aqueous parallel to the Wright Brothers' achievement: underwater flight

In an effort to advance the technology, Doc worked with other enthusiasts, which have each diverged in their designs, with varying results. “Rob went more with the full dolphin shape, which absolutely hauls ass underwater, but it has difficulty achieving the surface speeds we were seeking” said Rowe.

The entire operation suffered a major setback when the original prototype was stolen, but after a “regrouping”, Rowe told Gizmag that they were now “putting together the next generation of Bionic Dolphins” and would “now be bringing the production of the Bionic Dolphin into full swing

Design collaborators Innespace Design completed a 15 foot, 110hp dolphin prototype named "Sweet Virgin Angel" in 2001. Innespace is run by New Zealander Rob Innes and Californian Dan Piazza and they are working at creating another rotary-engine-powered two-seater .

Gizmag.com