<
https://english.elpais.com/science-tech/2024-11-24/we-can-now-explore-any-sea-on-the-planet-aboard-the-odon-de-buen-the-largest-scientific-ship-in-spain.html>
"On a sunny November day, in Spain’s Port of Vigo, a blue-and-white ship stands
out from the rest of the large fishing boats. It’s the
Odón de Buen, the
largest scientific research vessel in Spain.
After climbing up the ladder and reaching its interior, the first thing that
surprises you is its level of comfort. There’s a pleasant reception area,
followed by a bright, two-story lounge, with a dining room, library and meeting
room. On the port side, there are some comfortable light blue sofas next to a
panoramic window, with thick glass through which the port and part of the
estuary can be seen. It may be a scientific vessel, but it could pass for a
luxury cruise ship.
The crew has been living on board for days, although the ship is docked. It’s
waiting to set sail and test its brand new scientific equipment. Everything
smells new. The floor is still protected with plastic, awaiting the official
patronage of the ship.
EL PAÍS visits the vessel before its inauguration, at
the invitation of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), to which the
Odón belongs.
On the stern, on the outside deck, Jordi Sorribas proudly contemplates the
ship. He has spent more than two years working on its design and construction.
A tall, gray-haired 57-year-old from Barcelona, Sorribas is a geologist by
training. However, for years, he has worked as head of the CSIC’s Marine
Technology Unit, which coordinates the activities of eight oceanographic
vessels. In 1991, he embarked on the first Antarctic campaign of the
Hespérides, a veteran ship in the world of Spanish oceanography. Since then,
his life has been spent on scientific ships, both professionally and
personally. He met his wife — also a geologist — on board the
Hespérides the
year it suffered a “total blackout” that left it rudderless and in the dark
when it was sailing near the Canary Islands. “In Spain, we don’t have as many
scientific vessels as France — which is an undisputed leader — but we’re not
doing badly at all,” Sorribas points out."
Via
Fix the News:
https://fixthenews.com/279-breakneck-solarisation/
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
