Mantus is one of four highly regarded designers and manufacturers of SHHP (super high holding power) anchors and related ground tackle for oceangoing yachts, the others being Rocna (in Canada), Manson (in New Zealand), and Spade Anchor (In Florida). These manufacturers primarily serve a niche community of liveaboard cruisers who spend a substantial number of days at anchor each year on sailboats in the 30-60' range. Roughly half of these individuals are scuba divers. By virtue of living aboard a self-contained sailboat they have ready access to dive opportunities in otherwise inaccessible locations from their own vessel or from a dinghy. In most cases these aren't especially deep dives and indeed often they are areas that can be explored by snorkeling. These same sailors also dive to check the set of their anchor, to clean marine growth from the bottom of their boat, to deal with fouling from lines or traps, and (as
@Akimbo notes upthread) to effect repairs.
For clarity, these are individuals who have completed OWD certification or equivalent, at least in the vast majority of cases.
Dive gear designed for shorter duration dives in shallow, warm water serves these needs well and offers an alternative to hookah systems (which are popular in this application). My boats are smaller but I have experimented with minimalist dive configurations using smaller cylinders and no BC and even though I have concluded that the space savings over a BP/W with a smaller wing aren't that great, I can see the attraction. There is a real need, and most people aren't aware of the BP/W alternative.
Gas logistics is a major barrier to diving for this group. Obtaining gas fills ashore is usually untenable: the boat is ordinarily at anchor so cylinders have to be transferred to shore in a dinghy, then transported to a dive shop (with public transportation not always allowing dive cylinders depending on country), then back. Space aboard is limited as is power. A relative handful (I've heard 10%) of these boats have compressors, usually powered by a gasoline engine, and in many cases offer fills to other boats on a barter basis. There's more electricity on boats now than 5-10 years ago due to advancements in solar power and LiFePO4 battery technology, but electric-powered compressors are still rare.
A compressor that runs off electricity, that is small and light enough for one person to move from a storage locker to an operating location on deck, and that is sized to run from smaller electrical systems that are 120v only, meets a genuine need for this small market. The usual questions about lifespan, parts availability, filtration design, maximum pressure, and service intervals all still apply.
