As the National Geographic Channel begins a new season of
its series Doomsday Preppers, a
onto what appears to be a national trend. Triton Metals of Hollywood has
entered into a new business: the manufacture of pre-fabricated bomb shelters.
Sitting outside the Triton Metals manufacturing facility in
prototype, a $159,000 shelter which the owners describe as the Cadillac of bomb
shelters. It was manufactured inside the 56,000 sq ft building.
I had the pleasure of touring the shelter a few days ago and
it really is something to see.
Everything inside is metal painted a soft bluish-grey. The
kitchen is awesome. It has gunports, hidden compartments, a row of lockers,
sleeps 4 and my favorite, an escape hatch. Even Peg liked it.
The units are designed to be buried but they are just as
well suited for remote above ground use. The skin is all metal and actually
looks very strong. It is built for Preppers.
Preppers are survivalists preparing for the end of
civilization. The shelters that Triton hopes to sell are customized for the
customer who is seeking shelter for all kinds of reasons. The one on display
could easily double as a weekend hunting or fishing getaway.
Potential customers could be individuals or government
agencies. They can be designed so that a number of shelters can be placed
underground in tandem to create a mini-city. You can even colonize them. They
are like a space station underground. He said the shelters can be designed to
accommodate expected length of stay underground, including fuel and food
supply.
Triton Metals existing business of custom designed metal
products has a diverse customer base that includes the military and
non-military. The bomb shelter business is a way for the company to further
diversify. It also fits into recent discussions about the county diversifying
away from its dependence on the defense industry, what with all the
uncertainties surrounding Sequestration and the federal budget.
They manufacture a huge safe that rivals
EMP protected boxes for ATVs and generators.
I you are looking for a modular home to ride out the next
Hurricane Sandy or Zombie attack, look no further.
