Internet-Famous FLIP Research Vessel Sent for Scrap

One of the internet’s most revered unusual ships, known simply as the Reseach Vessel FLIP, has been sent for scrap.

The Floating Instrument Platform (FLIP), owned by the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR) was a unique oceanographic research ship that exemplified the ingenuity of scientists and engineers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, which operated the vessel.

Launched in 1962, the unique vessel was designed to “flip” from a horizontal to a vertical position by filling its ballast tanks with water, allowing the 355-foot vessel to remain nearly motionless in ocean swells. It was this characteristic that made it such a valuable tool for science.

The vessel was designed, built, and operated by Scripps’ Marine Physical Laboratory in the late 1950s, developed as a cost-effective alternative to using submarines for accessing the water column below the surface, which was highly sought after by oceanographers.

Over its 50-year service life, FLIP helped advance society’s understanding of ocean currents, ocean acoustics, air-sea interactions, marine mammals and more. It was retired in 2021, but has remained remembered for its unusual design and invaluable contributions to science.

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While the design of the R/P FLIP has proven successful, it remains unique and hasn’t been replicated. One primary reason is the rapid advancement in technology. Modern techniques now allow scientists to gather data remotely and with high accuracy, reducing the need for such specialized vessels.
Additionally, operating a vessel like the R/P FLIP can be seen as redundant when today’s cutting-edge technology can achieve similar or better results more efficiently. The cost and complexity of building and maintaining a vessel with such a specialized design also pose significant barriers to replication.
In essence, the convergence of advanced remote data collection technologies and the significant operational challenges has deterred the replication of the R/P FLIP, despite its proven efficacy.

“R/P FLIP has existed for more than half the length of the institution’s entire history,” said Scripps Oceanography Director Margaret Leinen. “It was an engineering marvel constructed during an important phase of new technology for ocean exploration following World War II. The many discoveries from FLIP help set the stage for ongoing cutting-edge science to understand our ocean.”

FLIP was actually classified as a platform due to its lack of propulsion, which meant it had to be towed to location by tugs. Outfitted with research instruments by scientists from universities around the world, FLIP’s stability and lack of engine noise made it ideal for observing tidal forces, internal waves, and small-scale turbulence.

FLIP was originally designed without living quarters. However, this concept was quickly abandoned due to the hazards of scientists having to board it from small boats, which are not immune to ocean swells. To accommodate people staying on board, it had to be outfitted with amenities that could operate in orientations 90 degrees apart from each other, including toilets, sinks, bunk beds, and dining tables.

FLIP’s crew also had to receive special training for the unconventional operation of the vessel. The full transition from horizontal to vertical took 30 minutes, but the final 49 seconds were said to be the most gut-wrenching as it settled into its new orientation.

Key Design Requirements for the R/P FLIP

The design of the R/P FLIP focused on meeting two essential criteria:

1. Comprehensive Data Collection: Ensuring the ability to gather data at the greatest possible depths was crucial. This requirement was fundamental to the vessel’s mission of conducting in-depth marine studies.
2. Minimizing Environmental Interference: Reducing the influence of waves, currents, tides, and other environmental disturbances was vital. This was necessary to maintain the accuracy of collected data and ensure the reliability of research outcomes.

Materials Used in the Construction of the R/P FLIP

The main body of the FLIP was built with about 700 tons of https://www.steel0.com/Tri_Ten.htm, a special type of steel known for its exceptional strength and resistance to corrosion. This material choice made the platform resilient against the harsh marine conditions it was designed to endure.

Additionally, the platform’s structure did not include propulsive capabilities, emphasizing the need for robust materials to handle the stresses of being towed at speeds between 7 to 10 knots. The design allowed R/P FLIP to sustain its operations for extended periods, carrying up to 16 personnel, including 11 research and operations staff and a dedicated crew of 5, without the need for immediate replenishment. This extended endurance further underscores the importance of using top-quality materials in its construction.

By integrating Tri-ten steel and other durable components, the R/P FLIP was able to achieve the reliability and stability required for its specialized research missions in the open sea.

How was R/P FLIP Re-Oriented Back to Horizontal?

Re-orienting the R/P FLIP back to its horizontal position involves a precise sequence of events:

1. Discharging Ballast Tanks: The process begins by discharging the ballast tanks located in the handle region. This reduces the weight in that area, aiding the flip.
2. Pumping Air: Around 3000 cubic feet of air is then pumped through compressors to displace any remaining water in the ballast tanks.
3. Emptying Bow Air Tanks: Air tanks situated in the bow are also emptied to assist in the leveling process.
4. Gradual Alignment: As more air is pumped and water is expelled, the vessel slowly aligns with the waterline, moving from vertical to horizontal.
5. Refilling Forward Ballast Tanks: Finally, ballast is loaded into the forward tanks to stabilize the vessel, allowing it to float at the required draft, similar to a conventional ship.

This method ensures the R/P FLIP can efficiently move between horizontal and vertical configurations, adapting to the requirements of its operations.

Research and Communication Equipment Used by the R/P FLIP

The R/P FLIP vessel was equipped with an impressive array of tools and technologies designed for both research and communication purposes.

FLIP Vessel Research Equipment”

• Acoustic Devices: Hydrophones and high-frequency SONARs were integral for studying underwater sound waves.
• Environmental Sensors: Various sensors monitored ocean temperatures, pressures, and water chemistries.
• Geophysical Instruments: Tools for bathymetric studies and underwater topology mapping.
• Specialized Devices: Instruments for underwater magnetometry and electrostatics, aiding in the study of magnetic fields and electrical properties of the sea.

This suite of equipment enabled the R/P FLIP to perform a wide range of cutting-edge marine research and maintain robust communication in various conditions.

FLIP operated for years without incident. However, in 1969 it had to be abandoned by its crew after losing power when it experienced ocean swells exceeding 80 feet. The incident required a rescue operation where crew members had to jump into the water to be picked up by boats.

Even after its final research voyage, FLIP has continued to attract public and media attention, not to mention the occasional viral social media post.

FLIP departed Scripps’ Nimitz Marine Facility under tow on its final voyage on August 3rd. Officials at Scripps Oceanography have arranged for one of FLIP’s booms to be removed and attached to the Scripps Pier in La Jolla, where it will continue to deploy research instruments as a tribute to FLIP and an inspiration for innovation at Scripps Oceanography.

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