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DeliciousParis (global-adventures.us): Jacques Rougerie, a French marine architect, has designed a floating research lab called the SeaOrbiter. The futuristic structure is intended to observe sea life and the interaction between the ocean and the atmosphere. It will permit a better understanding of marine phenomena and a new inventory of ocean wealth for the preservation of its resources, as well as those of our planet, according to Rougerie.
The SeaOrbiter is a gigantic 167 feet futuristic-looking vessel that contains areas above and below the water. Scientists and crew will live in an area above the water. A submerged pressurized deck will provide laboratories to study the oceans. Since the SeaOrbiter will be powered by currents and wind, it is expected to drift along the oceans slowly, taking about two years to circumvent the globe.
The biggest hurdle to this futuristic vessel is the cost, which is expected to be over $500 Million Dollar per ship. The latest announcement has been that the design could become a reality as an underwater museum just off the coast of Alexandria, Egypt. However, no official confirmation has been available.
Some interesting sketches can be found on the SeaOrbiter website. A French language video outlining the concept of the underwater museum is available on YouTube.
