Buoyant Neutrinos Photo Gallery Page
Four:
Launching of the hulls of the Absolute Absolution
Click on the small thumbnail photos to see them full size
| The two hulls of the Absolute Absolution were each built on top of the floating building platform made from parts of the Vilma B raft which came down the Mississippi River. A special hoist and track system had to be designed and built to lift them, move them over the water, and lower them into the water. |
Ed Kelly designed the needed launching apparatus and it was used in Corpus Christi to launch the first hull. Here you see Ed Garry and Mark Farris preparing the first hull for launching. |
Ed Kelly made the trip from Corpus Christi to Port Isabel to assist with the launching of the second hull. Here you see him supervising on the pier as Tony Davis assembles the launching apparatus. |
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The hull has been lifted off the deck of the building platform and is being moved along the track of the hoist until it is over the water. |
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Here the first hull is being lowered into the water. Notice the waterline marks that have been painted on the bow (designating inches of draft) |
This is the second hull, having just been lowered into the water between the building platform and the dock. |
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The bow in the water, showing a draft of just 12 inches. |
Two hulls finally in the water, one on either side of the building platform. Next the hulls will be connected, and eventually the building platform itself will be removed from in between the hulls. |
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