@factlab.daily: This Extraordinary Ship Was Designed to Stand Vertically in the Ocean 🌊🚢 At first glance, FLIP looked like a ship that was slowly sinking. But rotating almost 90 degrees into the ocean was exactly what this remarkable research platform was designed to do. FLIP — short for Floating Instrument Platform — measured around 108 metres long. Once researchers reached their destination, seawater was pumped into huge ballast tanks, causing most of the vessel to gradually sink beneath the surface until only around 17 metres remained above water. In its vertical position, FLIP became incredibly stable because the majority of its structure extended deep below the waves. This allowed scientists to make highly precise measurements without the constant rocking experienced aboard conventional research ships. For decades, researchers used FLIP to investigate ocean waves, underwater acoustics, marine mammals and interactions between the ocean and atmosphere. Even the interior was designed for the transformation — some doors, portholes and fixtures had to work differently depending on whether FLIP was horizontal or vertical. 🌊🔬 Follow @factlab.daily for more fascinating facts. #OceanScience #Engineering #FLIPShip #ScienceFacts #DidYouKnow

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Wednesday 23 September 2026 18:30:51 GMT