Preview of Blueprints for David Melgueiro

The ultimate goal is the construction of a sailing investigation vessel for scientific expeditions in areas such as environmental conservation, marine sciences, biology, atmospheric and earth sciences, oceanography, archaeology and diving.

MAIN OBJECTIVE

Fully responding to the challenges and strategy defined in the European BLUE GROWTH Policy in particular and Global environmental challenges in general, as well as   the need of logistical support for research and training in the areas of the sciences of the sea, its goal is the construction of a sailing investigation vessel for scientific expeditions in areas such as environmental conservation, marine sciences, biology, atmospheric and earth sciences, oceanography, archaeology and diving. 

This sailing vessel will respond, in a real and sustainable way, to the needs of the Universities, Investigation and training Centres, schools and other entities developing projects in these areas. Its low operation costs (5 to 10 times cheaper than the usual ships) will enable the realization of low budget projects, such as master theses and practical courses, and also the creation of a “Scientific ERASMUS of the Sea”, new training concept, enabling the exchange of young scientists of European countries to embark on similar investigation vessels is different countries/seas.

DESCRIPTION

In order to succeed, the raw materials used for its building will as much as possible be natural, recyclable and innovating, light and sustainable and innovating solutions will be applied to reduce the carbon foot print and the energy efficiency of the ships.

This unprecedented challenge will also cover the requirements for navigability in all oceans. The sailing vessel must be capable to withstand tempests, the low temperatures of the Polar Regions, the pressure of the ice, and to navigate in difficult areas, showing good manoeuvrability in all circumstances.

Other challenges consist in creating optimised habitability and climate control conditions, to enable the ship’s crew and the passengers to live and work on board. The autonomous production of energy, an engine as silent as possible, robotic solutions, the preservation of scientific samples, but also of fresh food, for long periods of time are just a few examples of these challenges.

Last but not least, the project will this way achieve its other objectives, which are:

To boost the technical development in the entire shipbuilding industry and create new business opportunities for the enterprises involved, through the technological and scientific innovation in their numerous business areas.

During the Marborealis Expedition, maiden voyage of the sailing vessel, the enterprises partners of the project, will disseminate and give visibility to their products and innovations, in this platform of excellency that will bring them all around the world.

You want to know more about it?  www.davidmelgueiro.org 

About the author

David Melgueiro Association

MANAGEMENT, OPERATIONS, TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFIC COORDINATION 

The David Melgueiro Association was formed and constituted on the 3rd of February 2014,  as a non-profit organization providing services of operational and logistical support to scientific and technical activities in the areas of environmental preservation, sea sciences, biology, sciences of the Earth and the atmosphere, oceanography, subaquatic archeaology and diving. Its seat is located in Portugal, Campus 4, Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, 2520-641 Peniche, identification nr 510.979.246, 

The Association already has a fleet of 4 small sailing boats, called the Ocean Science Fleet, with an action area covering at this moment the Portuguese coastline until 12 miles offshore, and also the inland waters. One of them can go beyond the 12 miles area, but for limited activities due to its small size (34 feet) and berth capacity for 4 people only.   This original concept developed by the David Melgueiro Association, to work with several small sailing boats, addresses the need of Universities, investigation and training centers, of a network of support platforms for the development of their scientific investigation and training programmes. The (low) operational costs of these vessels will enable the successful development of smaller budget projects, such as a master thesis or a scientific Erasmus of the Sea, and even practical training courses.

Adding an oceanic sailing vessel to lead this fleet will boost this initiative and consolidate the concept, widening the scope of action to all oceans of the Planet.

All persons cooperating and working with us for the David Melgueiro Association during these past three years, are working for free, voluntarily.

Budget and due dates

The money raised will pay the basic blueprints - scale drawings and lay out - of the sailing vessel in order to start the building process (15 thousand euros). Seven thousand euros are necessary to cover reward costs, the campaign sucess fee and other marketing costs.

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