Repurposing an older vessel to host space flights
It fascinates me when two industry sectors combine, and it is great to know that an older OSV can be put to good use as a new spaceport. Recently I read an article about a former offshore supply vessel that is reportedly destined to become the world’s first marine spaceport for human spaceflight. Classification society ABS has reported it is supporting the planned reactivation and modifications to the 25-year-old vessel, which is expected to be operational later this year as part of test flights in advance of an anticipated 2024 commercial launch.
The latest space tourism concept is being presented by a Florida-based start-up called Space Perspective. In their plan, the spacecraft, called Spaceship Neptune, will be launched for a six-hour journey to space providing a spacious consul for eight passengers and a captain. Unlike the operational space tourism flights, this one calls for the pressurized capsule to be attached to a massive hydrogen-filled balloon to provide a gentle ascent that the company compares to being in an airplane.
What will they come up with next?
The Titanic story – the disaster that keeps giving
As the whole world surely knows, the RMS Titanic sank on its first voyage in the North Atlantic 111 years ago, sadly claiming the lives of more than 1,500 people. But even after so much time has elapsed, the Titanic story continues to attract people. Several experts from around the world have investigated the wreck, and first-hand stories of individuals who survived that night have been documented.
Because there is so much interest in this ship, a post highlighting the lunch menu available onboard Titanic has gone viral! Curry chicken, baked fish, spring lamb, mutton and roast turkey were popular dishes, while the custard it seems was a popular dessert.
That evening, second-class passengers ate plum pudding (otherwise known as Christmas pudding). In their blog post, Taste Atlas shared photographs of the menu and dining area.
25m Bolide 80 hits 70+ knots on sea trials
Personally, I have no obsession with speed per se, but I know plenty who do. So, the idea of zipping across the water at 70+ knots fills me with dread and I am happy to watch others rather than participate. News reached me about the new 24.9 metre Bolide 80 which has begun sea trials in Pisa. It has reportedly exceeded expectations by hitting sprint speeds of around 73 knots and cruising speeds of 55 knots. Now that’s quick!
Fabiana Porciello of Victory Yacht Design & Technology said, “The boat exceeded all design targets in terms of maximum cruising speed and intermediate gaits. Evolution tests confirmed the boat’s manoeuvrability and control at all speeds, thanks to the innovative dihedral rudder system and active control system.”
The Bolide 80 is powered by triple MAN 12 V 2000 engines, each delivering around 2,000 horsepower. Range at maximum speed is predicted to be 200 nautical miles, while is expected to have a range of 345 nautical miles at cruising speed.
Port’s last sailing cargo ship, the De Wadden, set to be dismantled
Of course, nothing lasts forever, but the decision to scrap the De Wadden is undoubtedly a sad one and came as something of a shock. She is the last sailing cargo ship to have used the port of Liverpool for trading. The De Wadden, a three-masted auxiliary schooner built in 1917, has been drydocked in the city since 1987.
The ship was built in the Netherlands in 1917 and was used to carry coal and other goods including grain, pit props, china clay and mineral ores from the city to Irish ports between 1922 and 1961.
A feasibility study by owner National Museums Liverpool found costs of repair and continual maintenance to be unsustainable and an attempt to rehome the vessel was unsuccessful.
Director of National Museums Liverpool, Laura Pye, said decisions like this could not be “taken quickly” and it had been important to have a “particularly rigorous period of consultation, evaluation and self-checking”.
And in contrast to the previous story, the De Tukker sailing ship starts first cargo service across Europe
Having just shared the sad news about the dismantling of the De Wadden with you, here is news about a similar age Dutch built vessel that has a rather brighter future ahead of her.
De Tukker, the first ship operated by Dutch sustainable shipping company Ecoclipper, recently set sail on the firm’s maiden voyage a mere 111 years after she was constructed. The classic vessel is far from a typical cargo ship. Following a refit and sea trials, De Tukker, which saw life as a coastal trader and sail training vessel, is now propelled again by over 300 square metres of sail. Leaving Amsterdam carrying chocolate, five crew members and five trainees, De Tukker headed for Porto. This is the first voyage on a schedule that will see the ship sail on a regular route across North and West Europe.
Capt Jorne Langelaan, Ecoclipper founder and CEO, says he is excited that De Tukker is now sailing again. “After a year-long period of expert refitting by our own refit crew and the team at the Talsma shipyard, it was with the greatest pleasure that I watched De Tukker sail off towards the horizon. This is the next step in returning to large-scale transport by sailing vessels at sea.”
What a wonderful and bold initiative and how incredible to see the clock turned back in spectacular fashion to a time we thought had long since gone forever. I wish Capt Jorne Langelaan much luck in this eco-friendly project and safe passage.
More next month.
Mike Schwarz
