Yeah, further testing shows that for this type of "mission" the "Ignore player submarine" is the key to the whole thing. Place and align anything with no waypoints wherever you want, as long as that "Ignore player submarine" is checked on it will accept anything. Playtesting is important tho;
Put the static scenery subs too close to the tender or each other and they have collisions when the seas get rough. Only thing I've been unable to find is trees and bushes, environmental apparently only has icebergs.