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e

Tech

Crazy FLIP ship designed to change its orientation--from horizontal to vertical

By Rain Noe - August 12, 2010

This has got to be the weirdest oceangoing vessel I've ever seen: The FLIP (Floating Instrument Platform) was a ship apparently built in 1962 as a research platform. After being towed to its target site in a horizontal, normal ship position, ballast tanks begin taking on water--and the ship pivots 90 degrees, sending the bow some 300 feet below the surface, while the tail end rides above the waves, bristling with cranes presumably used to lower equipment.

Why the pivot? In rough seas that would toss normal ships about, the FLIP's unique alignment allows it to "anchor" itself in the calm waters below the surface, making for an exceptionally stable (and portable) platform.

Tech

Rain Noe

Rain Noe is a writer and industrial designer based in New York City.

4 Comments

Sar

9 years ago

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The music in that video is CLASSIC.
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Pete

9 years ago

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Wow, and to think it was made in the 60's.

Some funky music going down in that video too :)
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Daniel

9 years ago

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Old ship is old. Watch some history channel. :)
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Michael Kingery

9 years ago

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this is the most shameless i have ever been... but for a conceptart.org industrial design of the week a few years back it looks like i reinvented the wheel :(

this was my entry -

http://incolor.inetnebr.com/legato/IDotW/IDotW043-FinalREDUCED.jpg

had i seen this thing i would have tried coming up with something else :(
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