Abstract: Apparatus (1) for connecting first (9) and second (33) parts of an under-water connector comprises a first carrier (2) adapted to receive the first connector part (9) and having an axial guide socket (10), and a second carrier (3) adapted to receive the second connector part (33) and having a plug (4) arranged to engage axially in the guide socket (10) for connection of the first (9) and second (33) connector parts. The plug (4) has a nose portion (14) which tapers forwardly to a front end (15) having a lateral dimension less than that of the guide socket (10), and a waisted portion (16) rearwardly of the nose portion (14) with a lateral dimension less than that of the guide socket (10).

Abstract: An underwater electrical connector comprises male and female parts which are brought together to make an electrical connection. The female part includes first, second and third closed chambers containing electrically insulating media, the second chamber being located within the first, and the third chamber being located within the second. An electrically insulating shuttle piston extends through a contact socket disposed in the third chamber and through respective aligned openings of the three chambers. The shuttle piston is arranged to be urged back by a contact pin of the male part of the connector during insertion thereof such that the contact pin is received and directly engaged by the contact socket in the third chamber to effect the electrical connection.