what isalternative to the 'ship breaking' of huge ships (eg aircraft carrier)that has become environment issue

Question

Around the world, old naval aircraft carriers are scrapped because they have exhausted their ‘military’ life in terms of metal shield, armament and the communication capabilities.

The ship so decommissioned by the military can be bought below its scrap value as environment concerns put a restriction to its disposal process. A French ship recently sent to India as scrap had to go through government and legal hurdles before it was allowed in Indian Territory. So its further use as an operating ship would always be worthwhile as the scrap value is retained.

PRODUCT & SERVICE

Such redundant ships are still seaworthy and can be positioned at high seas on rescue missions. After removal of heavy artillery, extra fuel tanks and other allied military equipment, it can be suitably modified to create space and area that can be used for

1.Producing & Storing potable water, food & medicine, rescue equipment and fuel to support the rescue & relief operations.
2.Constructing operation theatres, ICU and sick quarters on board.
3.Quarters for the medical and rescue staff.
4.Short term refuge for victims.
5.desalination plant
6.Communication and watch station.

Cyclones are detected and tracked by satellite as they gather strength. Experts also predict within reasonable time the area where the landfall would occur. Local doctors, fire-fighters and other rescue teams are themselves subject to disaster. But still they are the best persons as they know the local language and the local terrain. If these persons are removed from the scene in advance and placed on this aircraft carrier then after the disaster they can be flown in straight from this carrier and efficiently utilised as the rescuers in the area. The sick and infirm can be brought on this ship before or after the disaster. This need not be limited to cyclonic disaster but also others like earth quake and fires in SE Asia where there are island nations.

Why a ship for such rescue?
Cyclone Path is tracked by a weather centre for at least 3 to 5 days, before it hits the land. The location can be predicted within several kilometres. As such if a relief ship follows the cyclone path it remains in a safe zone behind the storm, but at the same time, is immediately available at the location close to the disaster area. A cyclone after making the land fall, due to the residual storm effect keeps the area for many crucial hours out of bounds for approach and rescue from the land side. Even helicopters cannot fly in. Further delay takes place after that because the relief convoys can start only after assessing the roads and runways conditions. In many countries like in Africa rescue convoys can be subjected to loot on the way. This journey then takes place on the damaged roads in adverse weather conditions. The air journey after such confirmation may take further many hours to reach the nearest airport which it self may be far. Most of the time with the radio communications destroyed the actual requirement cannot be assessed. In such cases it normally happens that required items are missing and other items clutter the available storage area. A fleet of such ships can be acquired by United Nations and can be positioned at frequently affected locations around the world.

COST OFFSET
Up till now the relief measures start taking shape after the disaster is struck and governments react. The cost of making hundreds of flying sorties of supplies from say Europe to SE Asia can be achieved by sending the closest ship to the area and then transporting required items to shore in hovercraft or barges. Being lighter than the normal military equipped ship it can navigate closer to the land.
A team of medical staff could be earmarked for particular duty periods and familiarisation trips could be made during normal times to achieve better efficiency.

The cost of manning and operation of such fleet could be very low as it does not require the military alertness and defensive maintenance. The economy and saving as compared to land and air transport over next few missions would itself compensate for the costs.

4.Who is the end user of this Idea / Product / Technology?

The end users are the individual Nations under the auspices of the United Nations..


5. The unique feature of this Idea / Product / Technology and how is this different from those existing in the market? Have you done a Prior Art Search through website or other means to determine the uniqueness / novelty of your Idea / Product / Technology?

I am not aware that such dedicated rescue ships are in use any where in the world. Whenever there is a disaster the UN or individual Nations come up with their own plans to provide rescue. They use their military ships which can offer limited space and cannot fulfil long term multiple missions. Chaos occurs at airports and seaports. There are duplications and at other time there are language problems, written and spoken. Main load on these flights is water bottles, tents and blanket.

6.The problems that the envisioned Idea / Product / Technology addresses

None.

7.Is anyone else in the world doing similar work (that you are aware of) and is a similar technology already in use?
Please See #5


8.Special laboratory & test facilities required for this Technology

A ship-building Yard facility would be required for the conversion and modification.
9.Which tests have been carried out and what were the results?
Which further tests remain to be carried out?

None required

10.Other potential uses / applications of the Idea / Product / Technology

During normal times it can be used as a
•staging post
•watch post for military, coast guard, customs
•marine training school.
•oil rig or sea accidents rescue and
•oil spillage control.

Answer 1

Even though there are fewer ships entering the "mothball" fleet, any ships that are decommisioned are enormous. I would think the only alternative for such huge vessels is probably conversion-maybe with the growing need for clean energy some could be converted to solar panel energy collection sites.

Answer 2

GLOBAL WARMING/THE ENVIRONMENT IN GENERAL

Any and I mean any environmental cause or approach must be grassroots in nature. Having PhD's talk about global warming and having those representing industry interests debunk these present theories is a high level and almost an entirely futile effort. Don't get me wrong, it is great that someone with Al Gore's connections and exposure is getting the word out. However, people are people they want to see results.

Yes, the expression is now trite but still true, "Thing Globally, Act Locally". Watching the sky over a city, town or even a more rural area become darkened by smog has local impact, people take note and actually see A PROBLEM. A problem that can measured in terms of air quality or perhaps an AIR QUALITY HEALTH INDEX like the one that the provincial government in Ontario, Canada is in the process of implementing. You can measure results (however small) in terms of air quality and the affect it has on the health care system (those with breathing problems, doctor's visits, etc). It certainly speaks to the advantage of a UNIVERSAL health care system (however, actually implemented) as it actually makes sense to improve the environment as it keeps people healthy (a humanitarian cause) and when health care it publicly funded it affects the public coffers when people become ill therefore it even makes better financial sense to keep the environment a top priority.

Plus any approach must be entire with a complete overall plan (the big picture). Including recycling initiatives, energy solutions (alternatives/renewables can now present a real potential financial threat to the big oil companies and even power companies...), government involvement at all levels, public transit, greener vehicles in general (Hybrid, Hydrogen, Conventional electric, bio-diesel, ethanol), conservation in all energy arenas, ETC!

Economic viability is the real sell as many of these solutions are just that economically sensible (ensuring we look at the entire picture). Yes as more people use solar, wind and other renewable energy sources the cheaper the technology will get. Two of the newest billionaires have earned a large portion through renewables Solar (India I believe) and Wind (China I believe). Yes in many ways developing nations and economies will be the first and early adopters of such renewable tech as they are just building much of their infrastructure.

So what do we all need to do? GET INVOLVED ! Contact your local government about improving your recycling program, contact provincial/state/federal government about the adopting of these new technologies (renewables such as solar/wind), buy gas with ethanol in it and demand it, use and demand bio diesel, buy products with less packaging and demand manufacturers to reduce packaging and to offer a price break as a result. More ECONOMIC VIABILITY! After all energy diversity just like economic diversity is the safest and best bet for good long term results and return on investment.

Joe...


KEEP IT UP MR. GORE THE POLAR BEARS NEED YOU FIRST **GRIN**.

Answer 3

Not a bad idea, but expensive to run the ships and there are not so many old aircraft carriers being scrapped. There are a few hospital ships already, more like a cruise ship than a carrier. DHS/Coast Guard would own them instead of the Navy? India could consider this for their old carriers when they get new ones. Guess they didn't want to keep the French one as a ship, though.

Answer 4

My suggestion would be too: Just recycle all of those old aircrafts, ships, and whatever else is under the ocean, and make tons of Rockets, out of the recycled ones, so we can further put holes in our skies, and it would cost the tax payers less money to make those darn holes, in the environment, all together. The end is comeing soon anyway, and theres already plenty of holes, I wouldn't waste your energy worrying about all this, just worry about reading your bible & prayer instead.. You could read from beginning to end and get nothing out of it, just like your long question, unless you have the holy spirit to interpet it to you!! Then, nothing else will matter, thereafter.......God Speed, to you!!

Answer 5

what a stupid answer from pup solor panel s .lets see hurricane
sink ships ,stroms are made over the open waters so how do
you plan on wiring them to the shore .use your head

Answer 6

you got way to much time on your hands...