Millions of tonnes of plastic waste worldwide in our oceans, thousands of potentially dangerous shipwrecks containing heavy oil, munitions and other toxic waste; car tyres, ghost nets and much more. To be able to work on these threats on a larger scale than before, we need a strong tool – a working ship with which we can effectively work on large areas with many volunteers.
A ship that optimally supports all our activities and also our principles, especially environmental and marine conservation, must meet many different criteria. We have decided to orientate on traditional cargo sailing ships. They have been used for centuries to transport goods and passengers alike across the globe. Although they are well proven and have timelessly beautiful lines, they do not easily meet today’s requirements in terms of safety, comfort and environmental protection. Out of hundreds of possible designs, we finally decided on a ship – which became indirectly known only through countless model ships, and this despite the fact that she came from the pen of a famous naval architect.
The Léon (1880)
Colin Archer (1832-1921) is known to a wide audience primarily for his legendary seaworthy lifeboats (Redningsskøytene) and the polar research ship Fram (1892). But he also designed the Léon, a 33 m long brigantine that served in the North and Baltic Seas for decades. Model ships of her are to be found in many maritime museums and probably in many living rooms too. We have changed as little as possible of her original character to meet current requirements/regulations and the quite different intended use. From her genes comes our prototype of a multi-purpose research vessel (LRV), which is the basis for all our marine conservation activities.
Léon 2
(Léon 2 is only a provisional working-name. The definitive name of our flagship will be chosen by our co-creators)
Similarities and differences to the historical design
The most obvious differences to the historical model concern the main construction material, the auxiliary propulsion, the anchor gear and winch, the navigation equipment as well as the interior of the ship, especially galley, refrigeration and sanitary rooms and areas and facilities that logically did not exist on the Leon of 1880 – such as the diving base. The construction method also differs significantly. Historically, caulked planks were built over naturally curved or steam-bent frames. We make the hull, deck, frames and stringers as well as the masts from wood epoxy laminate. This construction method is by far better than the historical one in every respect, be it durability, strength, shapeability or material waste. But even that had not yet been invented in 1880. The rigging, on the other hand, will largely correspond to that of the past and, thus, will not least become a popular team-building activity under the guidance of the ship’s crew for the co-creators. The exterior appearance will also be largely unchanged and thus increase the recognisability and the positive image of the ship.
Mission
With her, we will search for dangerous wrecks, identify and decontaminate them and remove ghost nets, plastic and other rubbish from the coasts all year round with a crew of 8-10 and about 20 volunteer members.
As part of field trials with scientific research partners, we will also carry out emission-free transport of goods and passengers (e.g. olive oil from Crete to Trieste and wood back, or island transfers for co-creators).
Vision
We consider Léon 2 to be the prototype for a series of sailing vessels that we build in our shipyard as powerful tools for ourselves and other marine conservation organisations.
Funding
Léon 2 is financed through fundraising. We offer all supporters incomparable experiences on board, voting rights and insights into a transparent use of funds.
Your support is not a one-way street! As an NPO, we can’t offer you interest, capital growth or anything like that, but we can offer you unique benefits on board the Léon 2 and in the Marine Conservation Camp – and of course healthier seas!
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Further details of Léon 2
Departments and key facts
Diving: Like all our boat and ships, Léon 2 will be equipped with a breathing air compressor, O2 booster, gas storage for helium, oxygen and argon to enable research dives to a standard depth of 120m. With regard to our diving gases, we also pay attention to the highest possible sustainability (helium!) and thus when ever possible use high performance closed circuit rebreathers (CCR). In a further stage of expansion, a decompression chamber will be installed between the diving and hospital departments at a later date.
Medical: The ship’s hospital will be staffed by a (diving) physician on more complicated diving missions. Otherwise a paramedic takes over. The equipment depends on the needs of the missions and will be expanded step by step.
Exploration: A Side-Scan Sonar (SSS) provides high resolution sonar images of the sea floor. It is towed to the desired depth and scans the sea floor up to a width of 300 m. The ideal device for wreck search. A Diving robot (ROUV – Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle) is used for detailed exploration of potential wreck hits. The system delivers HD quality pictures and videos, has a manipulator, a high payload and can do much more (e.g. attach a descent line to a wreck)
Interior: Practical robust interior, 10-12 Co-Creator-double-cabins with WC and shower, crew-cabins, navigation and sonar room, medical treatment room and pharmacy, diving equipment room with compressor room and gas blending, laboratory (water analysis) fitness room and sauna, galley with cold store, laundry, cargo hold for garbage from the sea, argo hold for goods, workshops for wood, sails, diving equipment, two deckhouses, watertight compartments.
Exterior: Hull and deck material: wood/epoxy laminat (european woods, bio based epoxy resin), widely traditional brigantine rig, power anchor winch, loading salvage crane, boat davit.
Technical equipment: Electric secondary propulsion (possibly hybrid), hydrogenerator, pv-panels, heating (with renewable fuel), hot water by solar thermal collector, biological water treatment plant, movable inner trim ballast.
Range of operation: Wreck search, identification and decontamination;
coastal cleanups (beach, coast and seabed down to a depth of over 100 meters);
zero-emissions shipping (e.g. olive oil from Crete to Trieste and lumber back).
Main dimensions: LoA: 108ft (33m), LWL: 98ft (30m), WoA: 24ft (7,30m), Draft: 10ft (3.0m), Dwt: 250t, GT:~210, Freeboard: 4ft (1,23m), Height of mast above deck approx. 28m (both), Typ: Brigantine.
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