Help Build the "Space Station of the Sea"

SeaOrbiter is touted as a “space station of the sea,” and your guess if you ever see it on one of the world’s oceans is a good as ours. Last month saw the launch of a “crowd funding campaign” on KissKissBankBank to finance the construction of the “Eye” of the vessel, to start in spring 2014.
As designed, the Eye of the SeaOrbiter will be 18 meters (59 ft) high above the surface of the sea, with the overall vessel measuring 58 meters (190 ft), and it would support the crow’s nest and the suite of communications systems that will allow the team to broadcast their adventures live. Weighing in at approximately 500 tons of recyclable aluminum, the semi-submersible SeaOrbiter is envisioned drift silently across the ocean, aided by a small propulsion system, and is designed to have a lifespan of 15 years. The SeaOrbiter is the culmination of 30 years of innovative research and the work of sea architect Jacques Rougerie.
The goal of the crowd funding campaign is to raise about $450,000 in 90 days to finance the construction of the Eye of the SeaOrbiter.
Levels of contributions are:
•     €10 euros Your name will be posted on the SeaOrbiter website.
•     €30 euros You will receive a SeaOrbiter sewing patch + your name posted on the website.
•     €55 euros Your name will be engraved in the Eye of the SeaOrbiter, your name on the website and receive a SeaOrbiter sewing patch.
•     €15,000 euros Invitation for two to the Opening of the SeaOrbiter. (excluding travel expenses)
www.kisskissbankbank.com
www.seaorbiter.com

(As published in the November/December 2013 edition of Marine Technology Reporter - www.seadiscovery.com)