The Seasteading Institute is excited to announce the release of our first official engineering report! We’ve posted drafts before, but this is our first paper sanctioned by our Director of Engineering. This “assumptions and methodology” report covers topics such as concepts, materials, location, mobility, energy needs, ocean waves, comfort, costs, and much more. We encourage you read and learn about engineering the future of cities on the ocean.
NEW BLOG POST
I take issue with 3.5.4 on page 11 of this report. The description of submersible options is completely off. Just because a system is submersible does not mean that it MUST spend the entire time beneath the waves. Since the submersibles provide the most safety and space when compared to all of the other solutions on a dollar for dollar basis, I must take issue with the arguement that it does not offer enough ‘open space’. Submersibles offer more space per dollar. A snorkle gives a very low tech answer to the need for fresh air without using any expensive or cutting edge (prone to failure) technologies. As for a lack of sunlight, every child who has been to an aquarium can tell you that plenty of light diffuses through the water. If the water blocked such a large amount of sunlight, I would fail to see how scuba-diving would offer some of the most spectacular views of beauty on our planet.
I strongly suggest and urge TSI to consider an edit to the current entry which reads as follows:
[quote]
3.5.4 Submersible
Submersibles are seasteads located entirely below the waterline during normal operation. Unlike what is suggested by military submarines, this could actually be one of the cheapest options. Their most compelling feature is the absence of tension between scale and comfort; but the obvious drawback is the absence of sunlight, fresh air and open space. If a submersible is configured to have its accommodation spaces above the surface of the water, then in many respects it becomes a semi-submersible!
[/quote]
Submarines are going to be most comfortable and practical submerged. They won’t be very comfortable surfaced in waves. So the document is correct that they normally operate submerged. Sunlight and fresh air will necessarily be less for a submerged submarine than for a surface vessel.