Core77

Sign In / Join Now

Topics
- Product Design
- Process
- Technology
- Lifestyle
- Business
- News
- Furniture
- Tools
- Transportation
- Education
- Impact
- Reference
- Video
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Subscribe
Features
- Features
- Covid19
- Designing Women
- Getting Hired
- Design Files
- True I.D. Stories
- In the Details
- Photo Galleries
- Bizarre Inventions
- Questionnaire
- Materials
- Footwear
- Hand Tool School
- Tools & Craft
Awards
- Awards
- 2020 Core77 Design Awards Results;
Careers
- Careers
- Design Jobs;
- Talent Search;
- Design Salaries;
Firms
- Firms
- Search Firms;
- Firm Projects
Forums
- Forums
- General Discussion
- Students & Schools
- Design Employment
- Sketching
- Software & Technology
- All Forums
More...
- About Us
- Contact Us
- Advertise
- About
- Terms of Use
My Account
- My Account
- Sign In / Join Now
Follow Us
- )
- m
- Y
- '
- S
Search
e

Core77 is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

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.

o

Favorite
Q
4

Comment
&

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

Sar

9 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

The music in that video is CLASSIC.
!Report as spam
Pete

9 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

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

Some funky music going down in that video too :)
!Report as spam
Daniel

9 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Old ship is old. Watch some history channel. :)
!Report as spam
Michael Kingery

9 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

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 :(
!Report as spam

Share your thoughts

Rain Noe

I’m a lapsed industrial designer. I was born in NYC and figured I’d die there, but a few years ago I abandoned New York to live on a farm in the countryside with my wife. We have six dogs.