The 13-foot, tear-shaped electric motor boat can accommodate up to five adults in its jacuzzi seating and comes with a gas-powered, ambience-enhancing fireplace. It’s self-cleaning, self-heating, and can cruise for up to five hours on heavily regulated bodies of water.

With its electric engine, the Spacruzzi is a more eco-friendly watercraft option. “Unlike most power boats on the water, our all-electric propulsion and our patent protected electric and propane heating system do not put pollutants into the air or water,” Kanwetz said in a statement.

While it’s not designed to go far, it is simple to operate, and users can always swap out extra batteries for longer fun. “The boat will not travel more than four or four and a half miles per hour,” notes Kanwetz. “It’s about getting to a space, getting comfortable, and just sitting there. If you’ve never driven a boat, you’re an expert after about 30 seconds.”

The company, which manufactures all its Spacruzzis in its Nevada and Montana facilities, uses a patent-pending UV and saltwater filtration system to circulate and clean water throughout the boat, and an onboard gas fireplace to keep the soaking temperature perfectly pleasant. A ladder connected to the back of the fiberglass hull makes it easy to take a dip in the lake when passengers are ready to cool off.

The floating hot tub’s popularity has been explosive ever since its release. Speaking to a Lake Tahoe news outlet in June, Kanwetz said: “We expected to build a hundred boats this year.” But after a 41-day soft-site opening, the company had completely sold out.

“Since we launched, we’ve seen immediate growth in both our rental and direct-to-consumer sales ,and this is continuing to grow,” Kanwetz said in a separate statement. “As you begin to see more rental operations popping up, we expect the awareness of the product to grow on the national level as more people see that this isn’t just a novelty item, but an experience that can’t be matched on the water.”

At just 1,200 pounds, the Spacruzzi is relatively easy to transport. “We have customers putting these boats on a trailer, along with a generator, and taking them to auto races, concerts, you name it,” Kanwetz adds. The vessel’s onboard heater even converts the local lake into a year-round leisure option. “You’re in the lake, it’s snowing. It’s gentile. It’s a mind-blowing experience. It’s really, really cool.”

Spacruzzis sell for about $50,000 and can be ordered on the company website. They’re available for both rental fleet and individual owner options. Buyers can customize the decking, paint, metal, and wood finishes. Further add-ons include shade towers, floating drink caddies, underwater lights, and trailers. Just be ready to wait a little while for yours, since the company says the construction-to-delivery process can take up to 120 days.

The post Floating “Spacruzzi” Hot Tub Takes Luxury to the Lake first appeared on Dornob.

Looking at the design, it’s clear from the outset that the Portless Catamaran isn’t going to win any awards for aesthetics or speed. Then again, that’s not really the point of this ultra-lightweight vessel. It’s a big step up from a simple raft, or even the kind of small, sub-$10K boat you might tow with a trailer. You could try to cram a lot of occupants on either of those, but it won’t be safe, and it definitely won’t be comfortable. The Portless Catamaran, on the other hand, has enough lounging surfaces to go around.

The inflatable catamaran comes in two sizes: a smaller standard version measuring 14.8 feet long that can support four to six people, and the larger Deluxe Catamaran that measures 19.7 feet long and is safe for up to eight occupants. Unlike the kind of folding fabric shade top seen on many pleasure crafts, this catamaran’s “roof” is strong enough to use as a second deck. The main deck of the standard size model measures 97 square feet, and the upper deck offers 32 square feet while holding up to 350 pounds. Ladder-like steps built into the side wall offer access from below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djc8Q-bnePM

The standard size Portless Catamaran starts out as a compact 265-pound package that fits in the trunk of a car. You’ll definitely need a few people to get it in and out, but what other kind of boat can be transported to the water in a Kia sedan? You’ll probably need a trailer to transport the larger version, since it weighs 772 pounds, but the Deluxe still breaks down into four pieces that zip together. The creators say you can get the standard size out of your vehicle, inflated, and launched in less than 10 minutes, while the deluxe takes about 20.

The vessel is made with the same type of materials and construction as inflatable paddle boards, equipped with a small 1-kilowatt Epropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus electric outboard motor and lithium-polymer battery powered by a flexible solar panel. It’s not clear exactly how much of a range you’d get with those specs, but it’s probably safe to say you shouldn’t plan to cruise around for hours on end.

Okay, so the experience probably doesn’t come close to a day out on a billionaire’s superyacht, but the Portless Catamaran still looks extremely fun to use. The motor will definitely allow you to jet out to the open water to find a prime spot away from the crowds for swimming, diving, sunbathing, and whatever else you might get up to. With prices starting at $12,375 for the standard Portless Catamaran and $23,750 for the Deluxe, it’s reasonably affordable, too, and it could even work for people who don’t have a garage or driveway to store it.

The post Portless Catamaran: Inflatable Party Boat Packs Down to Fit in Your Trunk first appeared on Dornob.

Located within the newly revitalized Steigereiland neighborhood, the first of the IJburg islands when approaching from central Amsterdam, the Sluishuis references the industrial and maritime heritage of the area, as well as its vernacular architecture. The architects wanted it to feel like a traditional European courtyard house was enlarged, modernized, and adapted for the canal-centric landscape of Amsterdam. The 527,000-square-foot building juts out over the waterfront on the outskirts of the city, with a triangular opening acting as a “gate” through which 54 boats can dock at an inner port.

The units on this cantilevered side of the building feature glass balconies over the water, giving them incredible views looking either outward at the city or inward at the courtyard and its gardens. The apartments at the rear of the building step down to the docks, each with its own spacious outdoor terrace. A promenade winds around the building, inviting visitors — including the public — to climb all the way up to the rooftop gardens and gaze out at the new neighborhoods on the IJ. It also connects to an archipelago of public program elements like mooring points for 34 houseboats, floating gardens, and a sailing school.

Native plants emerge from giant planters and climb the facades throughout the complex, and large windows draw daylight into all corners of the building. Untreated aluminum reflects the play of light across the water, helping the Sluishuis blend into its environment. The units include duplex penthouses, urban studios, and premium apartments, and all of the homes are accessed through the central courtyard. All 442 apartments are energy-neutral, and power for the building comes from 2,200 square meters (about 75,347 square feet) of solar panels.

“With iconic architecture, as well as new housing typologies, high-quality outdoor spaces, and breathtaking views of the IJmeer, Sluishuis is a new landmark for IJburg as well as Amsterdam,” says Dirk Peters, a founding partner at Barcode Architects. “We have tried to design a building with a surprisingly changing perspective and a unique contemporary character, which reflects the identity of the future residents and all users of Sluishuis.”

“Having spent my formative years as an architect in Holland at the end of the 20th century, it feels like a homecoming to now get to contribute to the architecture of the city that I have loved and admired for so long,” says Bjarke Ingels, founding partner of BIG.

The post Ship-Shaped Apartment Complex by BIG Rises from Amsterdam’s Revitalized Waterfront first appeared on Dornob.

The property’s history as a former fish market and proximity to the Peconic Bay inspired the “boatel” concept. Juul-Hansen wanted the hotel to be deeply rooted in its waterfront setting, offering just as many boat slips as guest suites (20 of each). Its exterior is clad in cedar shingles (much like the vernacular architecture of the North Fork area) and is surrounded by decks offering views of the bay and marina. Guests can borrow pale blue beach cruisers for a pleasant ten-minute ride down to Southold, the nearest village, or book trips on The Shoals’ 28-foot vintage Chris Craft charter boat.

Picnic tables dot the grassy front lawn, and lounge chairs line the edge of the property along the water. A fire pit with a ring of deck chairs sparks to life after dark, and the hotel even has its very own food truck offering lobster rolls and soft serve. The outdoor lounge slings cocktails beside a grand piano with incredible water views. Swim in the bay, take a cruise on a boat, or spend the day fishing and then rinse off at the outdoor shower before heading inside, where yet another grand piano and leather sofas invite you to sink down and chat with fellow guests.

Juul-Hansen has distilled the area’s nautical heritage into a distinct flavor that’s all The Shoals’ own, rendered in soft shades of blue and sandy beige. Textural jute, rattan, linen, and wood lathe set off the smoothness of leather and polished stone, which particularly shines in the lobby’s sculptural front desk. Crisp white bedding, wood floors, and expressive framed art make the bedrooms feel serene. Some rooms have balconies or decks facing the water. The suites feature kitchenettes almost as spacious and comfortable as your own at home, with pale backsplash tiles glimmering like the insides of oyster shells.

Speaking of oysters, one of the coolest aspects of The Shoals is its commitment to bringing back the working waterfront that once thrived at this location. The owners have partnered with Little Ram Oyster Company, a local woman-owned business, to turn its former Scallop Shack into a fully operational oyster business. They plan to host private shucking workshops, host off-site oyster farm tours, and sell kits of unshucked oysters along with supplies to open them. On Wednesdays, their food truck will turn into the Shuck Shack, offering an oyster happy hour.

“The owners of Little Ram Oyster Company, Elizabeth Peeples and Stefanie Bassett, are stewards in the oyster development and advancement in Southold, and we thought they’d be great partners,” co-owner Jonathan Tibet told Travel + Leisure. “They are excited to serve the most craveable oyster experience on the North Fork while also sharing their knowledge with our guests through on-site educational opportunities.”

The post This “Boatel” on Long Island’s North Fork Has Its Own Oyster Food Truck first appeared on Dornob.

Looking a bit like a giant bird with its pointed, beak-like front end and green “wings,” the RaceBird first took conceptual form while E1 co-founder and CEO Rodi Basso was staying at her summer house in Sweden. She noticed birds gliding over the surface of the water and imagined how that form could translate to a futuristic, environmentally friendly boat with serious competitive capabilities.

A Formula 1 engineer who previously worked with McLaren, Ferrari, and NASA, Basso founded the E1 Series all-electric race boat championship with sports entrepreneur Alejandro Agag with a goal to bring electric motorsports to rivers and oceans around the world. The duo partnered with Norwegian designer Sophi Horne, naval architect and marine engineer Brunello Acompara, SeaBird Technologies, and Victory Marine to develop, manufacture, and build the RaceBird as the official racing vessel for the E1 championship.

The RaceBird features a fully electric outboard motor produced by marine propulsion experts at Mercury Racing and a cockpit resembling a single-seater race car with a steering wheel and pedals. Designed for just one occupant — the pilot — the RaceBird is powered by a Kreisel Electric battery and uses immersion cooling technologies to maintain top performance while in motion. The hydrofoils keep the body of the RaceBird above the water to reduce drag and maximize its energy efficiency.

Engineers successfully tested the RaceBird in northern Italy in April 2022, and the vessel is now on track to compete in the E1 World Championship in Spring 2023.

“We’re now one step closer to making electric racing on the water a reality,” says Agag. “I remember very well the same scenarios we encountered during the early stages at both Formula E and Extreme E, and just like on those occasions this is a major breakthrough on E1’s journey. Seeing the RaceBird fly proves to me that we can use this exciting, new sporting platform to drive technological innovation in the marine industry and create something spectacular for fans in the cities we visit.”

“Seeing the RaceBird flying on the water for the first time was an emotional moment for myself and many others who have been working on this project over the past few months,” says Basso. “So far, the RaceBird has exceeded expectations especially with the performance, agility and cornering capabilities. The current performance levels are exactly where we wanted them to be, helping to promote exciting foil-to-foil racing close to the shoreline.”

“In the coming weeks, we’ll continue to run further tests and gather the necessary data. I’m really looking forward to showing it in public for the first time, which we’ll be announcing more on shortly. This test marks the first page of a new chapter in the electrification of the marine industry, focusing on accelerating future technologies for the benefit of our waters.”

The post All-Electric RaceBird Hydrofoil Boat Flies Over the Water at Incredible Speeds first appeared on Dornob.

Candela Electric Hydrofoils Set to Start Stockholm Routes Next Year

Well beyond a cool-sounding concept, the Candela P-12 Shuttle will become a real commuting option in the Stockholm area by next year. Capable of carrying 30 passengers at a time, this 40-foot flying electric boat relies on hydrofoils that lift it out of the water so can zoom along at up to 30 knots (34 mph or 55 km/h). It uses the equivalent of a mere 0.1 kWh of electricity per passenger kilometer, gets a range of 50 nautical miles at typical service speed, and recharges in under an hour using DC fast charging.

Those impressive speeds make the P-12 the fastest electric ship in the world, according to Candela. It’ll also be among the greenest watercraft ever produced, reducing energy usage per passenger kilometer by 95 percent compared to commercial diesel-powered ferries that are currently in use.

“Our shuttles use 80 percent less energy than conventional ships and have the ability to travel far and fast on pure electricity,” Candela states on its website. “This means a 100-percent reduction in local emissions, particulate matter, and NOx. Moreover, there is no need for oil changes and thus no risk of oil leakages. Given the reduced energy consumption, low maintenance needs, and possibility to increase passenger volumes, we estimate that operational costs [in Stockholm] will be reduced by at least 40 percent.”

The P-12 Shuttle will slash commute times between the Stockholm city center and the suburb of Ekerö from 55 minutes by subway, bus, standard ferry, or car down to just 25 minutes. Part of that time savings stems from the fact that the P-12’s hydrofoils produce virtually no wake at all, allowing it to cruise within Stockholm’s no-wake zones, which usually require conventional boats to slow down to 12 knots or less. If Candela’s nine-month trial period with the city is successful, the company will likely make additional ferries available to help free up traffic from Stockholm highways. It could also pave the way for expansion into cities like New York and San Francisco.

The Candela P-12 shuttle features a carbon fiber keel and computer-controlled hydrofoils that make up to 100 micro-adjustments per second for the smoothest possible ride, increasing comfort for passengers. It has a 180 kWh battery and is small enough to easily jet around on the water. Candela also offers a consumer version called the C-8, if you’re interested in buying one of your own (starting at €290,000).

Seagliders Slash Channel Crossings Between England and France

Another interesting idea takes the “flying ferry” name a bit more literally. Brittany Ferries says its battery-powered craft “foils like a hydrofoil, hovers like a hovercraft, and flies like a plane… with the comfort and convenience of a ferry.” This concept glider can carry 150 passengers at a time and travel at speeds of up to 180 mph (290 km/h), quite a bit larger and faster than the P-12 and a whopping six times faster than conventional ferries. Brittany Ferries says it’ll get a battery range of 180 miles (290 km).

This flying ferry works by rising on foils as it departs from a port, taking off and riding a cushion of air just a few meters above the surface of the water until it reaches its destination. The company aims to test the concept by crossing the English Channel between Portsmouth, England and Cherbourg, France in just 40 minutes, a journey that currently takes 5 hours by conventional ship.

Since it’s rising considerably higher above the water than Candela’s hydrofoil ferry, the Brittany Ferries watercraft will face additional technical and regulatory challenges, but the company says it could be operational as soon as 2025. Brittany Ferries brings its proven expertise earned through development of its high-speed catamaran Normandie Express to assist US-based startup Regent Craft with the process.

“We are particularly pleased to contribute now because it means we can bring real-world challenges and potential applications into the company’s early thinking,” says Brittany Ferries’ Ports and Operations Director Frédéric Pouget. “We hope this may help bring commercial success in the years that follow. Who knows, this could well be the birth of ferries that fly across the Channel.”

The post “Flying” Electric Hydrofoil Ferries Could Slash Commutes in Coastal Cities first appeared on Dornob.

Viewed from land, “Invisible” blends almost perfectly into the environment. The first sign that it isn’t what it seems, even when anchored, is the way it bobs and sways in the surf. Rocks aren’t exactly known for being buoyant, after all. Then, suddenly, it takes off, leaving a trail of frothy wake behind it. You spot the black motor powering it, and the hatch that’s just barely open at the very top so the hidden captain can see where he’s going.

Made of epoxy resin and polystyrene atop a real boat, “Invisible” aims to be a subtle intrusion into the normalcy of our everyday surroundings, “imperceptibly modifying” the landscape. Berthier explains that this moving sculpture navigates the overlap between decor, augmented reality, “the object of pleasure, survivalist anxiety, and ecological issues.” It’s also exploring what we see as innate characteristics of certain materials. Rocks are supposed to be heavy, solid, and stationary, not mobile and fast.

“Invisible” isn’t Berthier’s first surreal boat. “Love love” looks like a disaster in the making, a sinking ship caught just before it submits to its fate. But it’s actually just half of a boat, permanently poking up toward the sky, its mast set at an alarming angle, and it can speed along the water in this position without ever actually succumbing to the depths. In 2008, the sculpture was coincidentally installed in front of the Lehmann Brothers building two days after the company’s bankruptcy, and some saw it as a commentary on the financial crisis. In truth, it was an unintended, though fitting, parallel. “Neither the boat nor the banks disappeared in the following months,” Berthier says.

Building a boat of this shape that’s actually functional is challenging enough, but the process of exhibiting and transporting it was more complicated than the artist anticipated. He unwittingly caused quite a commotion when taking it up London’s River Thames, having to frequently assure passers-by that, “non, non, I am fine, really!” Berthier says he always gave proper notice to authorities and the Coast Guard before taking it for a spin. The work, made of an abandoned boat that the artist cut in half, later sold to a private collector for £50,000.

“‘Do not leave the world into the hands of specialists.’ By building hyperrealistic yet fictional objects that he confronts in public space, Julien Berthier stays faithful to such a statement,” reads the artist’s biography. “Berthier seeks a permanent ambiguity in the works or situations he produces. He offers at the same time plausible objects (that could easily exist in the world of objects we live in) and their critique. Far from the idea to improve the world, the artist uses irony in one of its definitions (the act of raising questions by faking ignorance) to introduce social reflection.”

The post Mysterious Rock Formation Off the Coast of France Suddenly Takes Off Like a Speedboat first appeared on Dornob.

Amazingly, there are still several companies with items remaining on the Ever Given, including Lenova, IKEA, and Snuggy UK, who estimate they have approximately $550,000 of wearable blankets still aboard the vessel.

Because the ship has been impounded by the Egyptian authorities, it’s impossible to say when retailers will reclaim their items. Today, it sits in the Great Bitter Lake as a long and drawn out compensation battle (estimated at $600 million) ensues between the owner of the ship (Japanese company Shoei Kisen Kaisha) and the Suez Canal Authority (SCA).

Though IKEA hasn’t given out details of what it still has on the Ever Given, insiders have confirmed to the media that there are many products on board, likely including the brand’s signature furniture. A company spokesperson added little in an e-mailed statement, only revealing that “in the specific containers, IKEA has a variety of products…We will not go into any details regarding what types of items are being held.”

According to NPR, everything from tea to French oak coming from China, oil, exercise equipment, and “110 containers of IKEA furniture” are among the many valuable items still remaining on the ship.

The shipping delays have been catastrophic to many companies, with some having to halt production due to lack of parts. Disruptions such as these have the potential to cause devastating impacts on the global economy.

Of course, it isn’t just large corporations like IKEA that are feeling the strain. Smaller businesses and retailers like Snuggy UK also rely on ships like the Ever Given to deliver much-needed stock. Jack Griffiths, a co-founder of Snuggy, recently revealed to CNN that the company had only made two bulk orders so far this year, and that the delay was causing them significant financial problems. Businesses are also finding it difficult to get information about when they will receive their products. As Griffith notes: “I wish we were involved or even kept in the loop a little bit more, but we aren’t. It’s really not a great position to be in…”

Others, like Pearson 1860, a U.K. bicycle maker, told CNN that $100,000 worth of their products were still on the ship. Company director Will Pearson further predicted that the company “[doesn’t] hold out much hope of seeing our stock this year.”

It’s impossible to say how long these products will be stuck on the Ever Given as the legal battles continue. It’s even possible that companies with stranded goods like IKEA, Snuggy UK, Pearson 1860, and others will have to pay the Suez Canal Authority for damages before they can retrieve their products. Whatever the outcome, the stranded Ever Given continues to wreak havoc on international retailers, suppliers, and merchants months after the initial blockade — and it will continue to impact the global supply chain for the foreseeable future.

The post Stranded: Retailers Like IKEA Still Have Products on Blocked Suez Ship “Ever Given” first appeared on Dornob.

Bourgnon of all people understands how crucial such designs are for the health of the planet’s waterways. With 20 years of experience setting world-records in solo expeditions and transatlantic competitions, the Franco-Swiss ocean adventurer has observed a dramatic rise in ocean waste. In fact, Bourgnon had to quit the Trans Jaques Vabre yacht race in 2015 when his ship was assaulted by floating rubbish.

“During my racing career, I’ve missed out on records and broken my boat 12 times from hitting ocean debris,” he said in an interview with the Robb Report. “I’ve circumnavigated the world twice in my life, once at the age of 12 with my parents, and another 30 years later. The difference in the amount of plastic pollution was alarming. I knew something had to be done.”

“To fold your arms and say ‘No, we’ll do nothing, we’ll leave it, we’ll focus on dry land, we’ll leave the waste in the ocean,’ is totally irresponsible,” he added.

His solution? A185-foot sea-cleaning catamaran that will be partially powered by the garbage it eats.

Called the Manta – once its solar “wings” are extended, it resembles the swimming ray fish – the concept was developed in collaboration with an NGO thinktank of 58 engineers, technicians, and researchers that Bourgnon assembled in 2016.

The sailing vessel is designed to be traverse the seas removing plastics and other garbage with its large nets that can span 151 feet across and three feet deep. It’s estimated that the Manta will be able to collect up to three tons of waste each hour. With a crew of 22 rotating in two 12-hour shifts, each haul will be pulled in (larger debris will get help from two onboard cranes) and immediately sorted: organic matter back in the ocean, glass and metal sent ashore to recycling facilities, and plastic turned into energy for the ship. The boat’s Waste-to-Electricity Conversion Unit (WECU) will melt the plastic, creating gas to power an electricity-generating turbine.

Additionally, the Manta will incorporate two wind turbines at the stern, 500 square meters of solar panels at the bow, and two hydro-generators under the ship, enabling it to be roughly 70 percent self-sustaining while creating enough power for sailing speeds between two and three knots.

With a goal of operating his sea-cleaner 300 days a year, Bourgnon says it could eliminate up to 10,000 tons of ocean trash every year. If 400 such boats were set to the task, he and his team guess they could clear one-third of the world’s floating garbage. And even though it is fully capable of negotiating ocean waters, the Manta’s focus will be on clearing the estuaries of the planet’s major rivers. Two smaller, more nimble cleaning boats, the Mobula 8 and 10, will be stored on the catamaran to navigate more shallow and narrow inlets.

“The 20 largest rivers in southeast Asia account for 60 percent of ocean plastic, so that’s where we’re concentrating our effort,” Bourgnon says. “We’ll be collecting dense areas of macro-plastic pollution before it sinks or disintegrates into micro-plastics. Hurricanes and tsunamis cause massive inflows of pollution into the ocean, and it’s imperative that this pollution is dealt with quickly before it drifts, sinks, and becomes irrecoverable.”

Bourgnon expects the first model to be finished in two years, with the Manta’s initial sea trials occurring in Europe before it begins its work in southeast Asia in 2025.

He also hopes the concept will encourage more innovation and similar fabrications. “I’m not in competition with other boat builders to be the only one with a Manta,” Bourgnon explains. “Our hope is that hundreds of Mantas will be built around the world to help with the great ocean cleanup.”

The post This New Yacht Eats Ocean Trash for Breakfast first appeared on Dornob.

The ship could no longer be steered in the storm, and as the story goes, the captain intentionally beached it on the shoreline, allowing all 330 sailors, officers, passengers, soldiers, and others onboard to escape safely. Within a few months, it was overtaken by 23 feet of sand with a high clay content, effectively preserving it in place. It has remained there ever since, and it’s still in remarkably good condition.

ZJA proposes transporting it back to Amsterdam without ever lifting it out of the water, working with industrial movers to excavate it from the seabed, load it onto a specially designed underwater dock, and sail it over 250 miles back to its home country. There, the 131-foot-long vessel would remain submerged as a capsule-like steel and glass museum called “Docking the Amsterdam” is built around it. A white domed canopy made of tensile fabrics would be visible above the surface, covering walkways that grant visitors overhead views of the wreckage.

The underwater areas of the museum let visitors see the ship close-up from enclosed glass chambers, taking in details like the wine, textiles, and silver bullion that still remain onboard. They’ll also be able to watch as archaeologists carry out work on the ship. The exhibit would include displays that highlight the “complete story” of the ship, including the Dutch East India Ship Company (VOC)’s involvement in the slave trade.

“Visiting this venue is like entering a theater that stages the investigation in progress and engages the public with the discoveries the divers and researchers do inside the wreck,” says ZJA. “The ‘Amsterdam’ is a treasure chamber that shows us how financial resources, information and technology, cultures, politics and violence, trade and globalization, innovation and exploitation merge.”

ZJA hasn’t yet determined the best location for the museum, but they’re confident that the coast of Amsterdam will be a more safe and stable environment for research on the wreck than its current location, where the tides have begun to damage the ship.

“The urgency of the project is twofold,” the architects told Dezeen. “Firstly, the ship was constructed by the VOC. Today’s perspective on the history of colonialism, the slave trade, and international trade makes reassessment and discussion essential. Secondly, the wreck is now in a place with a huge tidal range, [and] the currents that accompany this are eroding the wreck.”

The firm set 2025 as the target date for the opening, as the process of transporting the ship is expected to take several years. The project was commissioned by the Docking the Amsterdam Foundation and is led by Amsterdam city archaeologist Jerzy Gawronski.

The post Amsterdam Museum Built Around a Glass Tank Containing a Shipwreck first appeared on Dornob.

The self-driving electric ferry zips to either side of the Trondheim Fjord on demand, stopping only briefly to charge wirelessly at the dock in between crossings. To call it, pedestrians simply press a button. Up to twelve passengers and their bicycles fit on the ferry at any one time, and there’s no charge for the service.

First unveiled in 2018 in response to a need for climate-friendly water-based transportation options, the zero-emissions ferry design was completed by Norwegian mobility company Zeabuz, itself a spin-off of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). The university has spent years researching ship control and autonomy, not just for safe passenger transit but also managing ship traffic at ports.

Safety is a major component of the project. With autonomous vehicles still so new, many people are nervous they’ll malfunction or fail to sense dangerous scenarios like obstacles or people in their path (though human drivers certainly don’t always do a great job of that, either). In the latter case, at least, it sounds like the Zeabuz ferry is in good hands. Each one is equipped with cameras, radar, 5G antennas, and “Lidar,” a collision-avoiding sensor system that measures distances with lasers.

They also won’t be completely unmanned. CEO Erik Dyrkoren says the ferries will still be monitored and managed by human workers at central operations offices, from which they’ll be able to remotely step in and take over if anything goes awry.

“Our autonomy solution is world-leading and can enable self-driving ferries that safely maneuver among other boats, dock to the quay by themselves, and handle passengers safely,” says Susanne Jäschke, innovation manager at Zeabuz. “We worked with DNV GL, the Norwegian Coastal Administration, and the Norwegian Maritime Directorate to test two prototypes in Trondheim. The unique technology has been developed at NTNU and will be made available to the company.”

The ferries are expected to be in operation by next year, and Zeabuz hopes to sell the technology to other coastal and port cities around the world, where they’ll operate as a free public service. Though the self-driving aspect is novel, Norway is already a ferry pioneer, having launched the world’s first electric ferry for passengers and cars in 2015.

The use of ferries is expected to grow across the globe in the near future as more cities rediscover the utility of their waterways amidst attempts to reduce vehicular traffic. Zero-emissions water transit could certainly help eliminate a lot of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in many locations. Plus, it’s easy to imagine how the convenience of a free service like this could encourage more people to leave their cars at home or go car-free altogether while visiting, living, or working in urban centers.

The post Norway Takes Electric Ferries One Step Further With Self-Driving Capabilities first appeared on Dornob.

The team began with a big idea and funneled it down to reality. Company director Rob McPherson explains: “The design theme called for a unique yacht that reflected the style and sophistication of the principality. We want[ed] to create a truly unique environment that could take the principality of Monaco to the ocean.”

For size and layout, they began with one of the most recognizable attractions in Monaco, the Grand Prix course, and modeled it to scale in hopes making it an onboard go-kart track capable of supporting three go-karts side by side. With the track hammered out, the designers turned their attention to replicas of the Monte Carlo Casino, Hotel de Paris, Prince’s Palace, Loews Hotel, Port Hercules, and La Rascasse.

The yacht is designed for the comfort of 16 guests in eight rooms, including seven guest suites that each include their own reception room, bathroom, dressing room, bedroom, and balcony. The larger VIP suites have the added luxury of a private office.

In a separate wing, the owner’s apartment covers three floors and 1460 square meters. It’s made up of multiple balconies, an office, bedroom, bathroom, his/hers dressing rooms, private courtyard, sunroom, and private sundeck complete with a jacuzzi and swimming pool. The apartment also benefits from a listening room and sitting lounge with fireplace. Even better, a private lift provides access to all three decks here.

A yacht this size (500 feet) is meant to be shared with friends, of course, so the designers also made sure to include public areas all throughout, including pools, cafés, a library, and a spa complete with a manicure and hair salon, private massage suites, sauna/steam rooms, and a large relaxation lounge featuring an accompanying spa pool and bar. “The Oasis” is located near the ship’s boarding area, where guests are greeted by a replica of the gardens right outside the Monaco Casino. This area also boasts a waterfall that spills over from the upper pools into the lower ones, as well as multiple landscaped paths and private sitting areas.

Get your game on with a battle at the yacht’s tennis courts, or hit the basketball court that doubles as a helipad for those guests that might have to fly inland for meetings. If helicopters aren’t so much your thing, you could always jump into the yacht’s submarine for an underwater adventure, or park a smaller yacht in the designated parking space and use it as your commuter vessel.

Obviously a luxury superyacht designed to replicate the city of Monaco isn’t for everyone —especially if you can’t cover the estimated $1 billion price tag. However, if money is no concern to you, you stand to own one of the most expensive — and likely the most original — boats in the world.

The post Superyacht Design Perfectly Recreates the Streets of Monaco first appeared on Dornob.

This year, for the first time ever, the city offered a free boat-in movie theater with a screen erected along the banks of the Bassin de la Villette. As you can imagine, these narrow waterways can only handle so much traffic, and demand was inevitably high. To earn a spot, hopeful movie watchers entered a raffle to reserve one of 38 electric boats operated by Freshwater Sailor. 150 deck chairs were also placed on the opposite bank for those who didn’t win.

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The 2018 French film Le Grand Bain, a comedy/drama about a men’s synchronized swimming team, was selected as the first movie for the “Cinema on the Water” event, which took place on July 18th to overwheling success. The organizers partnered with MK2 Cinemas to pull off the event, with the company’s CEO Elisha Karmitz saying, “after a few months of confinement, we thought we needed a way to tell the people and to tell the world that cinemas are open in Paris, [and] that Paris is one of the worldwide capitals of cinema.”

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Movie theaters have reopened in Paris at this time, but so far attendance has been low as concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus remains. COVID-19 has killed more than 30,000 people in France so far, and some European countries fear an oncoming second wave of infections. Outdoor activities are considered fairly safe, however, so open air theaters — like the rare remaining drive-in theaters in the United States — are thriving.

In fact, Cinema Sur l’Eau is such a great idea, it would be a shame if it didn’t catch on all over the world (as weather permits), adding to other socially distanced outdoor moviegoing options that might be available right now. Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo hasn’t revealed whether or not there will be additional movies or showings on the Bassin this summer, but she did say that Paris Plages is a great way to entertain locals who currently aren’t traveling.

“Many Parisians will not go on holidays. Many visitors might come to Paris, especially visitors from other French regions rather than abroad, and we really want to welcome them and keep this festive spirit up in Paris.”

The Bassin de la Villette is the largest artificial stretch of water in the city at 800 meters (2,625 feet) long and 70 meters (230 feet) wide, and it’s not unusual to see all sorts of concerts, theater productions, and other shows there all throughout the year. Officials weren’t sure whether demand would still be high this year due to coronavirus, but it’s as popular as ever, it seems, with measures like distancing stickers on the ground and plentiful free hand sanitizer helping everyone stay safe.

Images courtesy of Sortira Paris

The post Boat-In Movie Theater Opens on the Seine River in Paris first appeared on Dornob.

Zeltini describes it as a “house-boat-trike” or “tiny amphibious home/camper,” and it’s all of those things. Far more compact than any conventional camper, it’s capable of doing a lot more than just cruising down country roads on the weekends. It also contains far more than meets the eye. But best of all, it can seamlessly transition from land to water and back again, giving its users the kind of adaptability we can usually only dream of.

Designed for two people, the Z-Triton is equipped with two electric motor hubs, an electric outboard engine, and 250 watts worth of solar panels. It has three wheels: one in the front and two in the sides, all of which can fold up when the craft hits the water. When that happens, the “back end” of the bicycle camper becomes the front of the boat. When it’s time to head back home, the bike can easily carry the lightweight body of the camper/boat along the road, with a little electrical assistance, to boot. It’s capable of traveling up to 25 miles on land or 19 miles on water.

One of the not-so-great aspects of camping is the need to lug around a ton of separate gear, unpack it when you reach your destination, and then pack it back up again. If you’re camping in more than one spot, you’re repeating that process multiple times on a single trip, which gets old fast. The Z-Triton offers a sleeping pod for two people, eliminating the need for a tent, as well as an entire fold-up kitchen. Almost everything inside is modular, too, so you can remove things like the benches and tuck them away when you don’t need them.

Its blocky proportions aren’t exactly aerodynamic looking, and the overall aesthetic is reminiscent of retro Soviet design, but in a fun way. There’s even a live plant sticking out of the roof, which… sure, why not?

Is it kind of goofy? Absolutely. It sort of looks like it belongs in Wes Anderson’s The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. It’s easy to imagine Bill Murray piloting it while wearing that little orange beanie. But unlike a lot of other oddball creations, this is a real product with a working prototype, and its creators hope to make it available for rent to the public in 2021.

Latvia-based Zeltini is known for its unusual designs. Previously, they unveiled their “Temple of Poop,” a modern outhouse made of wood that’s elevated above the landscape with a giant pane of glass offering beautiful views to enjoy while doing your business. Built on the designer’s property, it composts human waste into fertilizer for its own rooftop garden.

The post Zeltini’s Z-Triton is an Amphibious Boat, Tricycle, and Camper in One first appeared on Dornob.

The flurry of print and online fodder came almost immediately after the story was leaked. Although it’s unclear who was the first to put it out, UK paper The Telegraph was early to announce that Gates had made a deal to purchase the yacht from Dutch company Sinot. Soon after that, every worthy (and questionably worthy) news source around did their part to get the story trending within hours.

The following day, however, the real story started surfacing, with Sinot adamantly denying any relationship with Gates or deal to sell him their “Aqua” superyacht. “Aqua” isn’t actually even a yacht yet, but rather an impressive design concept the company released at the most recent Monaco Yacht Show.

It’s not surprising nobody thought to question whether or not Gates actually commissioned the futuristic ride, considering his well-known (and arguably obscene) amount of wealth. Plus, Gates is also outspoken about his environmental passions, so a vessel like the Aqua would be a perfect fit for him. That’s because even though Aqua features all the luxury anyone could hope for, it’s true ‘coolness’ factor comes from the hydrogen fuel cell technology that powers it. Widely considered the greenest fuel option around, the superyacht would be powered for up to 3,750 nautical miles by liquid nitrogen stored in two tanks at -423 degrees Fahrenheit. The only by-product of the process is water, which can go directly back into the ocean without polluting it. And while the yacht could easily travel across the Atlantic, longer trips would require a back-up diesel engine to complete the route (mostly because there aren’t many dockside hydrogen refill stations just hanging around).

The design concept for Aqua is noteworthy for the hydrogen fuel alone, but considering the opulent touches, anyone who coughs up the estimated $644 million to own it likely wouldn’t even care what powered it.

The 370-foot Aqua really does look like something out of a sci-fi movie. Sinot explains that its exterior inspired by ocean swells, the movement of the tides, and weather out on the open seas. Its five decks are equipped to comfortably accommodate 14 guests and 31 crew members, though they also feature a gym, yoga studio, beauty room, massage parlor, and cascading infinity pool on the rear deck. Best of all, passengers can enjoy the ocean air on cool nights while keeping warm next to eco-friendly gel-fuelled fire bowls.

The goal, according to Sinot, is for the Aqua to show the potential for the future of the superyacht industry. So while the company continues to deny any contract with Bill Gates, they are encouraging other, similarly wealthy individuals to invest in the idea. Regardless of who ends up writing the check, the earliest estimated sail date wouldn’t be until sometime in 2024.

All images courtesy of Sinot.

The post Did Bill Gates Buy a $644 Million Sustainable Superyacht? first appeared on Dornob.

Prada teamed up with another boundary-breaking Italian company, Pirelli, to design the Luna Rossa AC75, a black monohull sailboat that looks like it could take to the skies at any moment. The AC75 is actually the ninth Luna Rossa boat designed by the team to represent Italy at the America’s Cup World Series sailing competition. The 36th annual event will be held in Sardinia next April, and the Luna Rossa will be the first challenger of the Emirates Team New Zealand, who won the last race.

It took two years for a team of 90 people (including 37 designers) to build the boat, which is made of carbon fiber and aluminum honeycomb with two innovative “foil arms” designed to support a maximum load of 27 metric tons (about 59,000 pounds).

Sailboats with arms are called “hydrofoil sailboats.” The wing-like foils mounted under the hull lift it up and out of the water while racing, allowing the entire boat to go twice as fast as the speed of the wind. They’re not unusual, but rarely do they look quite so high fashion as this.

“Another innovative feature of the AC75 is the ‘soft wing’ rig, with two sails hoisted in parallel and inbuilt systems to control the sail shape,” Prada states on its website. “This provides the efficiency of a hard wing combined with ease of use and handling akin to a traditional sail. 20,000 kilometers of carbon fiber thread was used to create the mainsail, in addition to 5,000 kilometers for each jib and 12,000 kilometers for each ‘code zero,” used to sail downwind in light breeze.”

Prada, which is also sponsoring the event, sent its design lead Miuccia Prada to christen the boat at its unveiling in Sardinia on October 2nd.

“This is our sixth America’s Cup challenge, but launch day is as exciting as ever — it is the magical moment that brings together many months of work and dedication and the anticipation of finally seeing on the water what was until now only a design,” says Patrizio Bertelli, President of the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team and husband of Miuccia. “This time, the revolutionary and innovative way the entire monohull concept has been reinterpreted heightens expectations still further.”

You might think designing a futuristic-looking hydrofoil sailboat in a sophisticated black dress would be the natural starting point for a crossover between the Luna Rossa project and Prada’s fashion. Can’t you already imagine the sailing-inspired outfits such a project could produce? Alas, it’s not to be: when asked whether the sailboat might inspire a themed collection, Bertelli said there’s no such plan in the works.

The post Prada’s Futuristic New Sailboat Floats on Carbon Fiber Arms first appeared on Dornob.