ScorpioBloodAug 13, 2023
Warren Currie 🦠🦐

[EDIT] FLIP is saved!
https://newatlas.com/marine/flipping-flip-ship-saved/
---
Well it had to happen eventually. #Scripps is retiring FLIP (FLoating Instrument Platform). This is an amazing piece of engineering (and soooo weird on the inside - everything pivots, so walls become floors). The #ship to be towed out to a location, and it would literally flip, sinking most of the ship directly down to give a *very stable platform for #oceanography research. Launched in 1962.

https://maritime-executive.com/article/world-s-strangest-research-vessel-heads-for-scrapyard-after-51-years

Flipping FLIP ship saved from scrapyard at last minute

The US Navy and Scripps Institution of Oceanography's unique FLoating Instrument Platform (FLIP) has been saved at the last minute from the breaker's yard. Scheduled to be scrapped in Mexico, it was purchased by undersea design company DEEP.

New Atlas
Aug 9, 2023 at 6:44pmWeb
Show threadWarren Currie 🦠🦐Aug 10, 2023

OK, everyone, I get it. Everyone loves weird research ships and #oceanography, but I give up and have temporarily muted notifications this thread. 😁😘

I'll make an effort to respond to questions though πŸ€—

Here are some excellent videos on FLIP to keep you busy.
Fred Fisher presentation (co-inventor)
https://youtu.be/bM6jFokRoZk

Tour of FLIP
https://youtu.be/shPATcV9Dzw

FLIP: The World's Strangest Research Lab - Perspectives on Ocean Science

Join Fred Fisher, co-inventor of FLIP, or Floating Instrument Platform as he shares a unique look at this strange research vessel's rich history. Series: "Pe...

YouTube
Show threadYiffyToysAug 11, 2023

@DrPlanktonguy

ROTFL.
The bathroom of #Flip is cool.

Show threadDavid FetterAug 9, 2023
@DrPlanktonguy "This was not called execution. It was called retirement." Vale.
Show threadhansceesAug 9, 2023
@DrPlanktonguy Dont try this at home people
Show threadGuerillaGrueAug 9, 2023

@DrPlanktonguy

I was today years old when I even learned something this awesome existed, only to hear it's being retired.

Wow.

Show threadIvan πŸŒžπŸ”‹πŸ¦™Aug 10, 2023

@DrPlanktonguy this is pretty nuts.

I must know: for how long was the ship meant to stay flipped? And what was the main advantage? Having stable sensors deep underwater? What about storms? Where below sea level movie nights possible for the research team?

Show threadWarren Currie 🦠🦐Aug 10, 2023
@IvanRManuel excellent questions. The FLIP ship could have missions about a month long. The whole idea around FLIP was to have 300 ft (91 m) of the hull submerged, and sensors could be all along that depth (plus winches on the surface could deploy sensors much deeper). It was all about stability because most of the mass was below water. They joked about it being "world's largest spar buoy". Not sure about movie night (it was rather spartan) .
Details here:
https://scripps.ucsd.edu/ships/flip
Research Platform FLIP (FLoating Instrument Platform)

Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Show threadwrosecransAug 10, 2023
@DrPlanktonguy @IvanRManuel Some sci Fi space ship interior sets could have been amazing if they took inspiration from Flip for thrust gravity vs landing modes.
Show threadLoyAug 14, 2023
@wrosecrans @DrPlanktonguy @IvanRManuel The Expanse is quite good at realism, but even there ships land with their engines pointing downwards when they go down to a planet IIRC. Changing directions is an interesting moment/sequence though. #FlipAndBurn #TheExpanse
Show threadPxtlAug 13, 2023
@DrPlanktonguy @IvanRManuel now I'm curious about the toilets
Show threadScott Aug 14, 2023
@Pxtl @DrPlanktonguy @IvanRManuel you will flip your shit
Show threadPxtlAug 14, 2023
@scotts @DrPlanktonguy @IvanRManuel thanks-i-hate-it.gif
Show threadMushifootAug 13, 2023
@DrPlanktonguy @IvanRManuel Sir this is Boba Fett's ship
Show threadrobrykAug 14, 2023

@DrPlanktonguy @IvanRManuel

I continue to be confused by the receive to where flip's mass is as a reason for its stability. Is expect that you'd care about c-o-gravity to c-o-buoyancy distance for roll stability and about cross section at surface level for stability in room and in vertical motion (because, respectively, that controls the changes in buoyancy caused by waves and horizontal drag forces exerted by waves). Is there any reason location of mass directly (i.e. other than via the c-o-g vs -b distance) affects stability?

Show threadI keep it around for luck.Aug 20, 2023
@DrPlanktonguy @IvanRManuel Jesus Christ, I thought that was a toilet for a moment..
Show threadJonathan HendryAug 10, 2023

@DrPlanktonguy

I'm surprised a billionaire didn't buy it to go with their mega yacht.

Show threadWarren Currie 🦠🦐Aug 10, 2023
@jonhendry the toilets aren't gold plated so that is a serious downside.
Show threadDavid MarshallAug 20, 2023

@DrPlanktonguy @jonhendry

On this ship, the down side keeps changing.

Show threadazAug 10, 2023
@DrPlanktonguy this is very unsettling
Show threadWarren Currie 🦠🦐Aug 10, 2023
@az sometimes crazy ideas just work.
Show threadNormanDunbarAug 10, 2023
@DrPlanktonguy Why oh why have I never heard of this? This should have been a TV science programme.
Show threadWarren Currie 🦠🦐Aug 10, 2023
@NormanDunbar even for my students, it was generally their first experience with this ship. FLIP was however very popular for a "virtual schoolroom". Scripps provided a number of videos as well for educators.
https://scripps.ucsd.edu/news/more-65000-students-hop-onboard-scripps-operated-research-platform
More than 65,000 Students to Hop Onboard Scripps-operated Research Platform

Without leaving the classroom, more than 65,000 schoolchildren throughout the United States and five foreign countries will hop onboard a world-renowned research platform operated by UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography on Feb. 26 during Ball State University's award-winning Electronic Field Trip program.

Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Show threadScimmia di MareAug 10, 2023
@DrPlanktonguy 😱
Show threadSteve Fenton ➜Aug 10, 2023
@DrPlanktonguy I wonder how often they had to tell helpful captains that they were "fine, but thanks for checking."
Show threadWarren Currie 🦠🦐Aug 10, 2023
@stevefenton about as often as you would think!
Show threadJosh McKinnonAug 10, 2023
@DrPlanktonguy @luciedigitalni I’ve known this thing my whole life, what a marvellous thing, I hope ifs function is replaced
Show threadWarren Currie 🦠🦐Aug 10, 2023
@corduroy @luciedigitalni many of the measurements can be done now using autonomous ocean gliders, but no question, it was an amazingly useful feat of engineering for its time.
https://rucool.marine.rutgers.edu/data/underwater-gliders/
Underwater Gliders – RUCOOL | Rutgers Center for Ocean Observing Leadership

The Rutgers University Center for Ocean Observing Leadership (RUCOOL) is creating knowledge of our ocean planet by pushing the limits of science and new technologies while inspiring future generations of ocean explorers.

Show threadsabikAug 10, 2023
@DrPlanktonguy @luciedigitalni
"restricted maneuverability"
Show threadWarren Currie 🦠🦐Aug 10, 2023
@sabik @luciedigitalni definitely not its strength - especially having no engines 🀷
Show threadRuber EaglenestAug 10, 2023

@DrPlanktonguy IVE BEEN THERE IVE BEEN THERE

IN A GAME!!!

SOMA, awesome game, by @frictionalgames

Show threadttk (DO1TTK) Aug 10, 2023
@DrPlanktonguy Why isnt there a Tom Scott Video about that?
Show threadNour πŸ³οΈβ€βš§οΈπŸ‰Aug 10, 2023
@ttk @DrPlanktonguy sadly @tomscott isn't active on mastodon but @mattgrayyes is.
Maybe Tom can check the similar ship mentioned here: https://mastodon.social/@unnameduser/110863995930177121
Show threadkætAug 10, 2023
@DrPlanktonguy Wonderful! The marine version of the V22 Osprey!
Show threadTinkerbellumAug 10, 2023
@DrPlanktonguy only just learned this existed, and i will miss it terribly.
Show threadSir David NielsenAug 10, 2023

@DrPlanktonguy @hbons little known fact, this is how you plant a ship. In time it will grow and become a cruise liner.

Nature is beautiful.

Show threadRoss of OttawaAug 10, 2023
@DrPlanktonguy it must've inspired lots of urgent calls to the coastguard during deployment.
Show threadHylke RozemaAug 10, 2023
@DrPlanktonguy interesting to think about. Vertically it look very stabile. How did the engineers ensure that the ship while pivotting wouldn’t tilt sideways?
Show threadWarren Currie 🦠🦐Aug 11, 2023
@hylk3 the ballast tanks were designed to fill with water and bring that part of the ship gradually downward over a 30 minute period.
Show threadJack KissirAug 10, 2023
@DrPlanktonguy WOW
Show threadkira :3Aug 10, 2023
@DrPlanktonguy i've always felt like this must have been something someone proposed as a joke and then had to commit to it when it got approved
Show threadjan klarname ullrichAug 10, 2023
@DrPlanktonguy i'm confused about propulsion
Show threadWarren Currie 🦠🦐Aug 11, 2023
@young_ullrich none at all. It was towed to its location.
Show threadEric BrombaughAug 10, 2023
@DrPlanktonguy I remember reading out that in National Geographic when I was a kid. Amazing it lasted so long.
Show threadPrentiss Riddle πŸŽ›Aug 10, 2023

@DrPlanktonguy

I was in elementary school in the late 60s and I'm pretty sure I saw something about this ship at that time.

Show threadRyan Poirier (@rgpphotog)Aug 10, 2023
@DrPlanktonguy how is this the first time I hear that this thing exists in my 40+ years of existence
Show thread🦊 🍸Faux around & find out⚠️🏴󠁧󠁒󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Aug 11, 2023
@DrPlanktonguy IIRC- Yup, the lack of a propulsion system really limited the possibilities for the Navy to continue to sponsor it under Office of Naval Research funding. Is a replacement planned, or will efforts focus on RVs & oil platforms?
Show threadWarren Currie 🦠🦐Aug 11, 2023
@camstonefaux my understanding is that the combination of autonomous Ocean #Gliders, profiling #ARGO floats, and new advanced ships that can deploy #ROV and other instruments is the focus. Scripps also has a brand new hydrogen powered hybrid #oceanography vessel being built to replace the RV Robert Gordon Sproul.
https://maritime-executive.com/article/scripps-picks-designer-for-one-of-a-kind-hydrogen-hybrid-research-ship
Scripps Picks Designer for One-of-a-Kind Hydrogen Hybrid Research Ship

UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography has picked Glosten to design a unique green-fuel powered research vessel. The new vessel will have...

The Maritime Executive
Show threadJaguarior JonesAug 13, 2023
@DrPlanktonguy @camstonefaux
Show threadhazelnot Aug 11, 2023
@DrPlanktonguy I know you posted a source and everything but I still refuse to believe this is real πŸ’€
Show threadWarren Currie 🦠🦐Aug 11, 2023
@hazelnot trust me, it is even stranger in-person.
Show threadmivox is exhausted Aug 11, 2023
@DrPlanktonguy @SRLevine Whaaat? 😳 That is WILD (and very clever)!
Show threadGhostcubbyAug 11, 2023
@DrPlanktonguy This makes me kind of sad, I've known about this vessel for a long time, and always thought it was amazingly cool engineering
Show threadWarren Currie 🦠🦐Aug 11, 2023
@ghostcubby Walter Munk did much of his groundbreaking research on physical #oceanography based on measurements from this ship. Being able to measure changes to the surface ocean with the development of #storm systems was essentially impossible before FLIP was built.
Show threadBleyddynAug 11, 2023
@DrPlanktonguy I've sailed by that ship several times and always thought it would be amazing to be in when it flipped.
Show threadHans HafnerAug 12, 2023
@DrPlanktonguy 😲😲😲
Show threaddas MenschyAug 12, 2023
@DrPlanktonguy oh no!!!
Show threadAtomfried Feind der SeevΓΆlkerAug 12, 2023
@DrPlanktonguy
"Oh look. A penny!"
@Septembersonne