An underwater vehicle may include a first propulsion element disposed on a first swivel holder, a first drive motor that is able to drive the first propulsion element, and a swivel mechanism that is able to move the first swivel holder relative to an outer hull of the underwater vehicle from a swiveled-in position into a swiveled-out position. The underwater vehicle can detect a given event automatically under water. In response to the detection of the event, the underwater vehicle may activate the swivel mechanism. The activated swivel mechanism may then move the first swivel holder into the swiveled-out position.