Sea Bird Adventure Helps Save the Earth...

Sea Bird Adventure Starts Here

Written by Kris Land

User Rating: / 24
PoorBest 

Going from the FS-289 Camano Class Light Cargo Ship for the US Army to fishing boat was only the first step.  Today, an effort is being made to turn the Sea Bird into a powerful, environmentally friendly, water-cleaning vessel. Maritime technology has come a long way and we now have the ability to manufacture parts and machinery that have a significantly lower impact on the environment.

Military ships are generally not considered when people think of eco-friendly advancements. However, the New Bedford IX-308 also known as the USNS New Bedford (T-AKL-17), or Sea Bird, is working to change that.

Cleaning up the Pacific Garbage Patch

Written by Kris Land

User Rating: / 26
PoorBest 

The formation of a "garbage patch" was first mentioned in a paper released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 1988. At the time, a prediction was made that the oceans were beginning to accumulate plastic waste, specifically in the North Pacific. The NOAA warned that this could begin happening in open seas where prevailing currents maintained calm waters.

Unfortunately, little effort was diverted to the prevention of garbage patch formation. In the decades that followed, manmade waste has gathered in the North Pacific Gyre and other portions of the Pacific. Although it cannot be viewed from space, the garbage patch has been verified as real. Its size is still unknown because no means of measurement exists to determine which polluted waters are simply random debris and which are actually a part of the dense garbage patch. Estimates range from areas the size of Texas to an expanse bigger than the entire United States.

USNS New Bedford the Mister Roberts Ship

Written by Kris Land

User Rating: / 0
PoorBest 

Originally assigned the designation FS-289, the Sea Bird's construction by the Wheeler Shipbuilder Company in Whitestone, New York was finalized in 1945. The FS-289 first began making contributions to the United States Army as a cargo ship that same year. This beauty of a boat received a new designation as the New Bedford (T-AKL-17) and was acquired by the US Navy on July 1, 1950. In 1963, she was reclassified as the New Bedford IX-308.

In total, the USNS New Bedford served for nearly five decades in the Army and Navy. October 28th, 1994 finally saw the flag lowered on the vessels, thus ending its military career. While this was a significant event, it was made even more so by the ship's cinematic past. The USNS New Bedford was just as much a movie star as it was a Navy vessel, and was the largest 'actor' to appear in the 1955 hit film, Mr. Roberts.

Tesla Turbines are Very Different

Written by Kris Land

User Rating: / 2
PoorBest 

The minds behind the refitting of the Sea Bird (previously the USNS New Bedford T-AKL-17) are working hard to produce some of the most innovative and promising concepts possible. Each focuses on creating a vessel that runs efficiently, burns fuel cleanly, and operates with maximum conservation of resources. Pulse combustion has been one of the most exciting new technologies considered for the Sea Bird. It is important that each system and design be put to the test to ensure it is truly as effective as we want it to be. These tests not only tell us what, if any, changes need to be made, but reassure us that we are on the right path to refitting the Sea Bird.

All of Our Responsibility

Written by Kris Land

User Rating: / 14
PoorBest 

Reach Out to More People and Make a Stand for the Environment

Taking a former naval vessel, previously the USNS New Bedford T-AKL-17, and transforming it into an ally of the environment is no small task. The challenges are many and the distance that needs to be covered is long. We are committed to seeing this project through, but we cannot do it alone. The Sea Bird project could dramatically change the way the countless industries operate by offering technology that allows ships to operate clean and promote fuel conservation. 

The Sea Bird could encourage others to follow a similar path. The key is proving to the world that this is something that is realistically achievable.  Help us to create a "Commotion!"