Why has Venice’s Grand Canal turned bright green?
An area of Venice’s famous Grand Canal has turned fluorescent green due to the presence of fluorescein – a chemical commonly used in underwater construction to help identify leaks, Italian authorities say. On 28 May 2023, residents of Venice took to Twitter after an area of phosphorescent green water was spotted near the Rialto Bridge in Venice. Authorities were called, and environmental agencies began investigating the source of the bright green water. Following samples of the water being taken, the Regional Agency for Environmental Prevention and Protection of Veneto (Arpav) confirmed on Monday 29 May that the fluorescent green patch of water on Venice’s Grand Canal was due to fluorescein, a non-toxic substance used for testing water networks.
CNN reported that it remains unclear how the substance ended up in the canal, but Arpav said that given the volume released, the colouring was likely to be intentional. Several leads are currently being pursued, including the possibility of environmental activism.
Brit’s Atlantic crossing attempt ends in heartbreak after 3ft homemade vessel sinks
A British father’s ambitious plan to sail across the Atlantic in a tiny homemade yacht has come to a heartbreaking end, after the vessel filled with water upon departure and soon became damaged beyond repair. Andrew Bedwell had been attempting a 1,900-mile journey from Newfoundland, Canada, to Falmouth, Cornwall, aboard a 3ft by 11ft vessel named Big C.
The ‘Big C Atlantic Challenge’ aimed to achieve the feat of crossing the Atlantic in the smallest boat ever, while raising funds for cancer charities in memory of Bedwell’s father, mother and friend Tom McNally, who helped him design and build the boat before his death. Bedwell, who works as a yacht builder and sailmaker, had been planning the intrepid voyage for over two years, and had hand-built the fibreglass ‘micro yacht’ from scratch.
Unfortunately, shortly after departing from Canada on Saturday (27 May 2023), Bedwell was forced to return to land when he realised the vessel – which he had nicknamed ‘the wheelie bin’ – was taking on water. The boat returned to dock and was being lifted out of the water for inspection, when the framework gave way and damaged the vessel beyond repair.
Sony’s new maritime camera makes waves
Is it a ship or is it a camera? Sony’s newest and most innovative camera to date is mounted and incorporated into the bow of a ship as the above photo clearly shows. Yes, it seems Sony has launched the world’s first 10.000mm F/0.95 lens especially for maritime photography. However, before you go in search of one and place your order, I have to tell you that this is an AI (artificial intelligence) generated image.
The AI was generated by Andrea Pizzini.
Remarkable. It seems you can no longer always believe what you are seeing in this rapidly changing technological world!
The world’s first floating eco-luxury suite is on its way to Doha
So here we have yet another world first I am told! Peters & May, the industry leaders in yacht handling and shipping, has recently transported the first Anthénea eco-friendly luxury suite to Doha. After five years of research and development, the luxury pod will join the Marina Corniche promenade in Porto Arabia at the Pearl, Qatar. The bizarre yet smart floating space offers 50 sqm of living area across the main cabin and the rooftop solarium, emphasizing the 360-degree nature-filled views available through its circular dome shape. Prior to Peters & May’s handling, the cargo had been towed on a 7-hour crossing from Honfleur Marina, France, by the SNSM (National Society for Sea Rescue).
The Anthénea Suite, inspired by the James Bond movie “The Spy Who Loved Me”, was created to deliver an eco-responsible and private island experience to its guests. Designed by French veteran designers, engineers, and naval architects, it has zero carbon footprint, is self-sufficient, and proclaims to be unsinkable. Hmmm, that’s what they said about the Titanic if I recall correctly!
Welcome the first robot marine surveyor!
Bureau Veritas (BV) has achieved a first in the field of testing and inspection following its certification of the world’s first fully autonomous Ex-certified legged inspection robot, ANYmal X, which was co-developed by ANYbotics and PETRONAS. Purpose-built to withstand and function in harsh and challenging conditions, the robot can operate in darkness and is fully protected against water and dust, making it operational in humid and dusty conditions. With the ability to walk on multiple surfaces including metal, concrete, gravel and wet floors, as well as being capable of knowing its position within a centimetre of accuracy, the ANYmal X produces precise, reliable, and repeatable data collection, helping cut costs and minimise danger.
Gosh, is the end of human marine surveyors as we know them now in sight? Somehow, I suspect not, and the personal touch is still good for a while longer yet. You can see the robot going about his or her (how on earth does one sex a robot) inspection routine as it climbs some steps.
Southampton suffering some of the worst cruise ship pollution in Europe reveals study
Now I don’t want to pick a war with the cruise ship industry, but this story certainly struck a chord and resonated with me and, as a resident living not far from Southampton, it is of local interest to me. I should stress that I am certainly no eco-warrior, nor am I demanding cruise ships are banned either! But I wonder what your reaction might be to this story.
Consider one of the key facts to emerge from a new study by Transport & Environment study – cruise ship pollution in Southampton is back to pre-pandemic levels in stark contrast to Venice, which implemented a ban in 2021 and has seen harmful pollutants fall 80% – yes a staggering 80%.
Toxic air pollutants from cruise ships are back to pre-pandemic levels, leaving many of Europe’s port cities choking in air pollution. Despite the introduction of the UN shipping body’s sulfur cap in 2020, last year Europe’s 218 cruise ships emitted as much sulfur oxides (SOx) as 1 billion cars.
In the UK, Southampton ranked as Europe’s seventh most-polluted port in terms of cruise ship air pollution with just 45 ships responsible for almost ten times more harmful pollutants than all of the city’s 93,000 cars put together. The analysis also shines a light on the benefits of cities taking action to address cruise ship pollution. As stated, the port of Venice saw air pollutants from cruise ships fall 80% following the city’s ban on large cruise ships. In 2019, the city ranked as the most-polluted port city in Europe but fell to 41st place after implementing the ban. The study calls for greater electrification at ports in order to save lives and demonstrates that it is possible to tackle air pollution.
Let’s see what next month brings.
Mike Schwarz
