MERSEA PhD Research Proposal

PhD Proposal

MODELLING OF MEGA STRUCTURE AQUACULTURE VESSEL FOR MARINE ECOSYSTEM
RESTORATION AT SEA

AUTHOR: CHRIS MORTON

AUTHORED FOR: O. O. SULAIMAN, PHD, CENG, CMARENG LECTURER OF MARITIME
TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH FELLOW AT UMT

FACILITATED BY: UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA TERENGGANU

CONTACT: EMAIL: CHRISM@MAKENET.CO.ZA , PHONE +27768587777

DATE: 12 SEPTEMBER 2011

Revision 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 5

2. Problem/Issues involved ........................................................................................................................... 5

3. Anticipated Issues ...................................................................................................................................... 7

4. Justification ................................................................................................................................................ 7

5. Objectives of Research .............................................................................................................................. 8

5.1 The Engineering of a MERSEA Vessel........................................................................................................ 8

5.2 the Marine Ecosystem Survey Tool Software System .............................................................................. 9

6. Research Results/Outcome ..................................................................................................................... 10

6.1 Anticipated Findings ............................................................................................................................... 10

6.2 Phased and Incremental MARINE AQUACULTURE for the Purposes of Marine ecosystem Restoration 11

7. Methodology ........................................................................................................................................... 11

7.1 Database Design Considerations ............................................................................................................ 12

7.2 Data capture ........................................................................................................................................... 12

7.3 Algorithmic Extraction of Extrapolation of data for use in a marine aquaculture strategy aboard the
MERSEA vessel .............................................................................................................................................. 12

8. Research Schedule of Proposed Activities ............................................................................................... 13

9. information on the MERSEA VESSEL........................................................................................................ 15

9.1 Description of MERSEA Vessel ................................................................................................................ 15

9.2 Components of a MERSEA Vessel ........................................................................................................... 16

9.3 Engineering Challenges of The MERSEA Vessel ...................................................................................... 21

9.4 Construction of a MERSEA Vessel ........................................................................................................... 22

9.5 Maintenance of a MERSEA Vessel .......................................................................................................... 23

9.6 Onboard Resources of a MERSEA Vessel ................................................................................................ 24

10. MERSEA Community ........................................................................................................................... 27

10.1 Constitution, Laws and Justice .............................................................................................................. 28

10.2 Economy ............................................................................................................................................... 28

10.3 Population Control ................................................................................................................................ 28

10.4 Education .............................................................................................................................................. 29

10.5 Health, Disease and Death.................................................................................................................... 29

10.6 Defense ................................................................................................................................................. 29

11. Bibliography ........................................................................................................................................ 30

12. Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................... 31

13. Contact ................................................................................................................................................ 31

1. INTRODUCTION

The research will investigate the modeling of a mega structure aquaculture vessel for marine eco-system
restoration at sea for the purposes of re-establishment of renewable food resources for human exploitation.

The project will research the restoration of biodiversity of a marine environment by using an incremental
ecosystem restoration approach that considers the limitations of an existing food web and the species within
that food web to sustain an exploitable marine food resource for humans. This research aims to show that it
may be possible to devise a long term and incremental aquaculture strategy that can be used to increase
biodiversity and biodensity of marine organisms, and that with a vessel such as MERSEA, that a commercially
viable aquaculture facility could be used to sustain a renewable food resource.

The engineering considerations of MERSEA will be described in detail, including structural
engineering/construction challenges. The proposed aquaculture (mariculture) hardware on board will be
described including the different installations for different aspects of mariculture, including some marine
aquaculture simulation software to help estimate the species selection based on existing factors within a
marine ecosystem. Also to be investigated is the proposed benefits of a mobile deep sea aquaculture vessel,
and how such a vessel can relocate in oceans around the world, and how such a vessel can be used for a
globally effective marine ecosystem restoration/sustainable food supply strategy.

The Marine Ecosystem Survey Tool (MEST Software Project) will be a definitive result of the research
conducted in this proposal. The MEST Software Project will be an open source software that can be used for
further development by others in the field of restorative aquaculture, and the algorithms demonstrated in the
software will show the mathematical relationships within species populations, in relationship to the maximum
carrying capacity of a particular ecosystem as related to changing environmental conditions. Such software
may have other applications for different types of ecosystem restoration, which may apply to restoring non
marine ecosystems. The theoretical basis for MEST will potentially be applicable to many other scenarios, not
limited just to the MERSEA project.

The trademarks of pHp and MySQL

The MEST platform will take advantage of open source technologies such as pHp and MySQL, and run on
inexpensive operating systems such as Linux with an Apache webserver installed. Since one of the aims of this
project is to allow accessible technology for marine restoration, the MEST system will be available to a limited
extent for public perusal of the activities of the MERSEA program as it takes place, via a publically accessible
website, whereby the public may observe the results of an ongoing marine restoration project.

2. PROBLEM/ISSUES INVOLVED

State the problem(s) and/or issue(s) involved, the scientific background of the problems (by citing relevant
studies) and the urgency and the need to research them.

The problematic scenario of depleted marine resources poses a great threat to the future of human
sustainability on the planet, since for many thousands of years man has relied upon marine resources for food
and recreation. With most of the large shoals of fish extinct, if left to natures own devices, large shoals of fish

could take many hundreds of years to re-establish themselves, provided that man does not continue to exploit
recovering population of fish.

Since the fishing the oceans has become increasingly non selective, biodiversity of species is also affected. The
problem of lessening biodiversity is very problematic from a conservationist’s point of view, since biodiversity
is nature’s way of ensuring survival of particular genetically similar species when environmental conditions
(climatic/oceanic currents/natural disasters). Biodiversity ensures that the food web is maintained in a
balanced way, where natural predation and succession is part of the design of a marine eco-system.

Diagram indicating long term rate of decline

Diagram indicating reduction in species diversity of a species list over a period of 30 years

Results of a study entitled DEPLETED MARINE RESOURCES: AN APPROACH TO QUANTIFICATION
BASED ON THE FAO CAPTURE DATABASE by Luca Garibaldi and John F. Caddy

3. ANTICIPATED ISSUES

An anticipated issue is that since the various different marine environments are different, and that different
species will be required in certain areas of the world, the marine ecosystem restoration requirements specific
to the location of a restoration project will be different. Since a generic restoration strategy will not always be
suitable for a particular environment and the species list of organisms will also need to be adapted. If the
species list is not adapted, species endemic to a particular area may be threatened to due to the introduction
of various ‘foreign’ species. Thusly special care must be taken when applying a generic restoration plan to a
specific marine environment location, in order to ensure the survival of species of organisms endemic to a
particular area of the global ocean. Additionally migratory species of organisms may need special
considerations in line with the seasonal requirements for the particular species. The environmental
requirements of juvenile fish will also need to be considered, since many species of organisms require coastal
habitats in order to propagate successfully. The phased and incremental aquaculture techniques of the
MERSEA Vessel will endeavor to meet such requirements of certain migratory species and juvenile fish by
simulating the correct requirements of these organisms when possible.

4. JUSTIFICATION

Give reasons why this research will Help the advancement of science and technology in marine industry.

The MERSEA project will investigate some of the effects of lessening biodensity (how many organisms per
volume of ocean) and the effects of lessening biodiversity. For example, in places where overfishing has
depleted all food resources, particular predator species (such as sharks and marine reptiles/mammals) has also
been effected, and as a consequence have also been locally (or globally) extinct. By analysis of an existing
marine ecosystem, to establish population estimates and biodiversity estimates, one could use the research in
this proposal to form a ‘baseline’ starting point to be used to model a marine ecosystem restoration strategy,
with the aid of computer simulation (MEST System –see research schedule).

The primary aim of the MERSEA research is to establish an open water aquaculture system that can be used to
repopulate the ocean, which if left to natures own devices may take many thousands of years. In particular the
aims of this research project are to model the following:

The engineering of a mega structure vessel, including some investigation and development of new
materials and technologies for the building and maintenance of marine craft.
The investigation and formulation of a phased and incremental marine ecosystem restoration
strategy, using survey data from a currently damaged part of the ocean to formulate algorithms that
will calculate how much the ecology of a particular ocean section can support, in terms of biodensity
and biodiversity. The objective is to establish a system that can act as a guideline for aquaculture
activities in deep sea.
The development of a computer software that can be used to record actual survey data and calculate
what organisms, and how many organisms aquaculture activities need to produce, in order to restore
a self sustaining population of food fish species for exploitation by man once the marine ecosystem
has been restored. Additionally the software must be able to estimate the time span of a marine
ecosystem restoration activity, in order to make such activities accountable and economically
feasible.

The advancement of science and technology as related to GPEM may result in new research avenues
as regards to an economically viable mechanism to cleaning up consequences of human activities
such as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, resulting in possible transformation of plastic pollution into
useful commodities such as hydrocarbon fuels, carbon fuel and recycled plastic resources.

The importance of this proposal is paramount to securing a sustainable future for humankind in relation to a
renewable food source from the sea, the reduction of persistent plastic deposits in the oceanic environment
and restoring s harmonic balance of humankind’s relationship with our planet. In the future, our time of
history might not be favorably regarded by our successors on planet Earth if no attempt is made to rectify
some of the problems humankind has caused over the last century.

5. OBJECTIVES OF RESEAR CH

The objective of the research for the MERSEA project is simply to investigate the feasibility of the proposed
scheme.

5.1 THE ENGINEERING OF A MERSEA VESSEL

The objectives of the research will include information about whether the proposed MERSEA Vessel is actually
possible to build, considering limitations of strength of materials and other factors. The objective of this part of
the research will be to revise the existing proposed design to fit into engineering constraints of such a massive
vessel, in order to provide a realistic design that will not sink or collapse upon itself under normal operating
conditions.

The objectives of the research include investigating some of the engineering feasibility of a MERSEA structure,
including but not limited to:

Structural Engineering Considerations
Construction Considerations
Buoyancy Considerations
Design Considerations
Operation Considerations

The research will investigate the possibility of the partial construction of a MERSEA vessel upon a proposed
building platform designed to recycle large deposits of oceanic plastic pollution. The Giant Plastic Eating
Machine (or GPEM) is a conceptual design for a enormous vehicle that recovers oceanic plastic waste deposits
for the purposes of recycling the pollution into the possible by products of hydrocarbon raw materials,
commercially viable recycled plastic and chemically pure elemental carbon, similar to coal. The research will
investigate the feasibility of partial construction of a MERSEA vessel on a GPEM platform as a possibly cost
effective construction strategy that will also have significant benefits to the marine environment.

A proposed outline of a design for a GPEM showing a constructed MERSEA Vessel on the platform

5.2 THE MARINE ECOSYSTEM SURVEY TOOL SOFTWARE SYSTEM

The objectives of the MEST system include primarily the provision of aquaculture guidelines to be used by
aquaculture technicians to implement the most effective accelerated marine ecosystem restoration strategy
for a particular set of circumstances as relating to the baseline established in the initial survey of a particular
marine ecosystem. The main objective is to provide a distributed computing platform whereby aquaculture
technicians may enter data, to be stored in a centralized database, which can be analyzed, and algorithmically
manipulated to provide data for the aquaculture technicians about the effectiveness of aquaculture initiatives
being undertaken. The system will provide the basis for species lists to be bred, in accordance with the objects
of the generic phased and incremental marine restorative aquaculture initiatives as outlined in this document.

MERSEA will aim firstly to look at a certain section of ocean to establish a ‘baseline’ starting point of
biodiversity and biodensity. The objective of this will be to establish the current state of the oceanic section, in
order to create a marine ecosystem restoration strategy that suits the conditions of that ocean section with
the aim of re-establishing large shoals of fish over time. The research will help develop a generic strategic
formula, that can be applied to different sections of the global ocean. The generic strategy will be adjusted to
the conditions of particular section of ocean, whether in the tropics or the poles, together with survey data
added to the MEST software solution, to provide information that the population of MERSEA can use
repopulate any part of the global ocean.

Additionally The MERSEA project also aims to use information gathered from aquaculture experiments to help
design and formulate algorithms to be used in MEST software. The MEST software will be an open source
solution for marine ecosystem restoration, thusly will be a good basis for further work in computer aid
ecosystem (marine and terrestrial) restoration projects.

The objectives of the Marine Ecosystem Survey Tool (MEST) Software System include but are not limited to:

The design of a database that can will be suitable for the collecting and analysis of data recorded by
marine organism surveys
The development of an algorithm to be used for the calculation of qualitative and quantitative
‘species lists’ that can be applied to the marine aquaculture activities upon a MERSEA Vessel
The development of a recursive algorithmic extrapolation of data over a predefined timeline, for the
purposes of estimating the maximum carrying capacity of an existing baseline, in order to establish
the key milestones of a long term marine ecosystem strategy
The development of a reporting mechanism whereby a user may manipulate variables such as species
lists and numbers of organisms in those species lists to simulate what the outcome of an intended
marine aquaculture activity, in order to estimate the outcome of a specific aquaculture activity.

6. RESEARCH RESULTS/OUTCOME

Give the exact outcome(s) you expect to achieve from your study/research (such as publications,
scientific papers, research breakthroughs, solution to some scientific problems, etc.).

The results of the research will show that MERSEA is or is not a feasible option to restore marine ecology.
Additionally the research results of MERSEA may contribute positively to the advancement of maritime
engineering projects, including the production of at least 3 new materials that can be used in the construction
of marine going craft.

I expect as a result of the research into the MERSEA concept to result in scientific papers worthy of publication
concerning the following possible breakthroughs:

Marine Aquaculture technology concerning the rebalancing of marine species, in accordance to the
environmental conditions of a certain area of ocean using computer aided calculations.
Marine agriculture technology concerning growing coastally adapted food crops at sea, for the
provision of food on MERSEA for the population of humans as well as the nutritional needs of
organisms grown on board.
Materials science breakthroughs concerning materials that are suitable for the construction and
maintenance of marine craft. Such materials may include, but are not limited to, Hydroactive Fibrous
Foam Polymer (HFFP) as a material to lessen the chance of vessels sinking, FiberCast composite hull
material that is suitably strong and corrosion resistant for the partial construction of hulls.

Additional and further studies may result as a result of this PhD study, namely:

proposed advantages study
proposed timescale to achieve a certain level of bio-diversity and bio density that can sustain a
renewable food supply for humans
proposed study of economic consequences
proposed study of environmental impact
proposed study into long term sustainability
proposed study into the feasibility of construction of GPEM

6.1 ANTICIPATED FINDINGS

The outcome of the research will show that a phased and incremental marine aquaculture ecosystem
restoration strategy can or cannot be applied to assist the repopulation of the oceans. The aquaculture
approach established by this research for MERSEA will allow a basis for further research into restorative

aquaculture. The findings may show that this kind of open water/deep sea aqua culture may not have to be
necessarily facilitated on a MERSEA Vessel, and that the research conducted in this PhD may indicate that
certain aquaculture may be possible using smaller and more numerous vessels to achieve the required
restorative functions.

6.2 PHASED AND INCREMENTAL MARINE AQUACULTURE FOR THE PURPOSES OF
MARINE ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION

Upon successful conclusion of this PhD study the guidelines for a phased and incremental marine aquaculture
strategy for the purposes of repopulating the ocean with large shoals of fish will be established.

Some organisms found in the rock pools of the North Coast, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

7. METHODOLOGY

The research methodology will initially involve the collection of data from a deep sea marine ecological survey,
this data will be used to simulate deep sea conditions in a controlled environment, upon which scientific
experimentation may take place. The scientific experimentation will attempt to analyze which indictors are
most relevant for the re-establishment of a marine ecosystem, and various methodologies will be used to
study the ways that the baseline can be manipulated in order to create the correct environmental and food

web requirements to incrementally increase biodiversity of species and establish the maximum carrying
capacity of certain ecological conditions.

The methodology will take into account several factors, including and not limited to:

Quantitative and qualitative collection and analysis of data pertaining to biodiversity, biodensity,
water analysis
Geographic survey of the relief map of sea floor
Meteorological survey of seasonal climatic variation and oceanic currents

To aid the study into this topic data will be collected using established technology to gauge various factors at
play in the simulated environment. This data will be recorded and patterns and relationships between
populations of certain organisms analyzed to be used to formulate a generic marine ecology restoration
strategy to be programmed into MEST software.

As so far as methodology for testing the strength of materials and corrosion resistance of new materials to be
used in the construction of MERSEA, destructive testing will be used to establish the limitations of such new
materials. Additionally the testing of new technology for the provision of food, water and energy on the
MERSEA vessel will be tested at sea on the survey vessel, to establish the small scale viability of such
technologies. To establish the dynamics of the design of the MERSEA vessel part of the research may include
th
building a 1/500 scale model (10 meters wide) which will bear similar density and buoyancy properties of a
full size vessel. To establish whether proposed design will float indefinitely engineering tools can be used to
simulate this vessel on computer.

7.1 DATABASE DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

The database design of MEST project must take into account the quantitative and qualitative data acquired
from marine survey inputs. The database design will reflect the chronological recording of data, a that can be
reported on for the purposes of showing the effectiveness of a certain restorative marine aquaculture project.
Additionally the database design considerations must factor in the possibility for a centralized global system of
numerous MERSEA Vessels, possibly allowing for a global mapping of restorative marine aquaculture efforts.

The database design will conform to second normal form structures where applicable. Each table in the
database will include primary key structures or composite key structures according to the required
functionality. The database will serve as the architectural foundation for the development of MEST, meeting
the requirements for a scalable solution that can easily be transferred into a supercomputing environment.

7.2 DATA CAPTURE

The data capture of the MEST system will rely on the manual input of data by aquaculture technicians, as
recorded by the equipment they use. Additionally certain meteorological data will be automatically entered in
the system, as provided by established meteorological and climatic authorities. To allow for the most efficient
and complete manual data entered into the MEST software, the fields required for the input of data will in
most instances be minimal. Where possible, automatic data capture will be accommodated for by interfacing
with certain compatible equipment and have a capability of importing data sources such as xml, csv or non
MySQL databases such as MS SQL Server and Oracle.

7.3 ALGORITHMIC EXTRACTION OF EXTRAPOLATION OF DATA FOR USE IN A MARINE
AQUACULTURE STRATEGY ABOARD THE MERSEA VESSEL

The MEST system will include an as yet to be defined mathematic algorithm to analyze and extract data from
the input data to provide the best guidelines for aquaculture technicians to implement the most effective
strategic restorative aquaculture efforts, in terms of species diversity and volume of certain organisms to be
bred. The algorithm will demonstrate with mathematics the relationships of various organisms in the food
web of a particular ecosystem, to basically determine the maximum carrying capacity of an ecosystem in terms
of species diversification and population numbers of those species. By using the algorithm it may be possible
to extrapolate certain scenarios pertaining to marine ecology, to determine a timeline that can be used to
predict when a certain marine ecosystem will be ready for reuse as a renewable resource of food for humans.
Similarly the algorithm may also be able to predict the effects of overfishing on the restored ecosystem to
provide a guideline for the fishing industry to determine what the maximum quota for fishing vessels should
be, to prevent a repeated scenario of exhausted marine resources.

8. RESEARCH SCHEDULE OF PROPOSED ACTIVITIES

The chronological indictors below are estimates and may be subject to change

Exact dates, time allocations and order need to be revised using Microsoft Project Software which I currently
do not have a copy of. Upon revising these data in Microsoft Project , I will be able to apply my knowledge
about Accelerated Project Management Techniques to produce the best possible project plan, including
contingency allowances. In many of these data the actual times overlap with each other, however it is not
practical to represent this relationship with Microsoft Word.

Task Sub task Time Allocated
Detailed engineering research into the design and construction of the MERSEA vessel
MERSEA computer aided design Refine and Complete Initial Design to at least 90 days
20% structural layer completion
Aquaculture equipment and Installations 90 days
Onboard food, Energy and Water Provision 90 days
installations.
Investigate structural engineering Write detailed descriptive dialogs detailing the 30 days
above topics
Produce a cost estimate of MERSEA Vessel 30 days
Construct at least one working Condenser Unit 60 days
prototype or sample of new hardware Thermo-Electric-Converter
or materials on a MERSEA Vessel from Food Growing Hardware
the list specified here Hydroactive Fibrous Foam Polymer (HFFP)
Fibrecast Panel Material
th
Construction of a 1/500 scale model Refine a scaled model drawing that can serve as Up to 700 days
a practical vessel (10 Meters Diameter)
Obtain quotations for necessary tools and
materials
Commission outsourced construction work to
reputable persons or companies
Investigative Research into phased and incremental marine ecosystem restoration using Aquaculture aboard
the MERSEA Vessel
Obtain necessary data for modeling an Obtain oceanic survey data from a specific 30 Days
incremental and phased ecosystem location
restoration strategy specific to a Construct a food web 30 days
certain marine location Research certain ecological niches 30 days
Research and propose a mechanism Investigate the maximum load that the survey 30 days
that can be used to repopulate the site can support
area Create mathematical algorithms and equations 60 days

that show the relationship of species within the
marine food web
Setup and execute a scientific experiment to Up to 400 days
demonstrate that the proposed phased and
incremental marine ecosystem restoration will
work on a small scale in a suitably sized marine
aquarium
Development of a software system (Marine Ecosystem Survey Tool (MEST) ) for the collection, analysis,
extrapolation and reporting of data obtained from ecological surveys of a local deep sea marine environment
Database and user interface Design Schema and write Generic Data Access 30 days
Layer for software
Design User Interface and write front end 30 days
functionality for software
Business layer Formulate algorithms representing the 90 days
mathematical relationships in a food web
specific to data gathered from scientific
experimentation
Create a reporting tool that allows a user to 60 days
manipulate variables and calculate possible
outcomes of certain strategies
Testing and Simulation Use the MEST tool to assess the accuracy of the 90 days
algorithmic extrapolations of the business layer
on a short term and small scale marine
aquarium setup
Review, Revision and Publication
Check all references and conform to UMT 7 days
policies
Spell check and proofread 7 days
Typeset and Bind Dissertation into a hardcover 7 days
publication

9. INFORMATION ON THE MERSEA VESSEL

A descriptive diagram of an exploded view of the proposed design of a MERSEA Vessel

9.1 DESCRIPTION OF MERSEA VESSEL

MERSEA is a transport vessel for marine aquaculture systems, with the primary goal to re-establish large shoals
of marine fish. Additionally MERSEA is a survival vessel for a human population of up to 2500 for 500 years.
Effectively MERSEA is self governing and would be regarded as a nation in reality. In order to sustain a
population of 2500 MERSEA is partially self sufficient. freshwater, food and energy are all provisioned for from
on board resources.

The method behind MERSEA is primarily the incremental restoration of depleted marine resource overtime.
The vessel includes various hatcheries for marine organisms, including but not limited to fish, crustaceans and
mollusks.

9.2 COMPONENTS OF A MERSEA VESSEL

MERSEA consists of 7 main parts, together they are assembled to make a massive vessel with an approximate
2
sunlight exposed surface area of 20km .

9.2.1 CENTRAL TOWER

• Accommodates the freshwater storage and processing from condensation and desalination
• Accommodates the centralized light distribution collector, where light is focused onto from
mirrors on component surface of the climate control containment.
• Accommodates communication and control facilities
• Accommodates a lightning conductor to prevent damage to the rest of the vessel. Special
technology enables the harnessing of thermal energy directly into electricity, based on work from
the Thermo Electric Converter
• Accommodates an air filtration mechanism to moderate salinity and humidity of sea air, also
serves to prevent airborne biological and particulate matter contaminations within the life dome

Isometric wireframe of basic outline of Central Tower

9.2.2 CLIMATE CONTROL CONTAINMENT

• Allows for minor regulation of the ambient temperature, salinity and humidity of sea air
• Several different biomes are accommodated below the installation. These biomes include coastal
tolerant food crops to feed the population of MERSEA and provide the necessary food provisions
for some of the aquaculture activities.

• Each biome will have slightly different conditions in order to sustain a good biodiversity of fauna
and flora aboard MERSEA

Isometric wireframe of basic structure of Climate Control Containment

9.2.3 LIFE DOME

• The accommodation area for the majority of the human population of MERSEA.
• The Life Dome is climatically controlled to achieve the most comfortable environment for
humans, namely a temperate like climate
• Several floors of open plan living units will occupy the higher levels of the Life Dome. The units
consist of sound proof walls and floors. Each unit accommodates a family of 4, each designed
with privacy in mind, including a small garden.
• Animals such as birds, dogs, cats and freshwater fish will allow humans to continue a relationship
with domesticated animals

Isometric wireframe of basic structure of Life Dome

9.2.4 GREENLAYER

• Consists of many different biomes in order to facilitate the cultivation of coastal food crops and
accommodate various species of birds, mammals, insects, amphibians, reptiles and freshwater
fish.
• Accommodates sporting facilities such as an 18 hole golf course, swimming pools and athletics
facilities.
• Accommodates the harvesting and processing of crops grown in the Greenlayer
• Accommodates emergency life vessels in case of the MERSEA vessel sinking
• Transport in the Greenlayer is accommodated by a self propelled (human) rail system and bicycle
tracks
• Mirrors on the ceiling of the Greenlayer (Climate Control Containment) reflect light and
communication signals to the central tower
• A small landing strip and helicopter pad are accommodated on the ceiling of the Greenlayer

Isometric wireframe of basic structure of Greenlayer

9.2.5 FLOATATION RAFT

• Provides the necessary buoyancy for MERSEA to float, and in the event of a sinking vessel,
consists in part, of a special polymer (in hermetically sealed casings) that reacts with sea water if
the seal is broken to form strong and fibrous foam to provide additional buoyancy.
• The floatation raft accommodates ‘Sea City’ which is the central point of the activities on
MERSEA, including a hospital, an educational institute and a theater, amongst other necessary
facilities
• Large areas of Sea City are storage areas for the products of TEC Solar installations, where gas
and liquid reservoirs hold unreacted products of the Thermo Electric Converter technology, that
can be likened to energy storage from within a conventional lead acid battery.

• The floatation raft is not part of the hull or lower hull, in the unfortunate event of a sinking
vessel, the Hull and Lower Hull are released to sink, allowing the majority of the population of
MERSEA to survive for a few months on the Floatation Raft
• The Floatation raft is approximately 5 km in diameter

Isometric wireframe of basic structure of Floatation Raft Isometric Render of proposed ‘EarthShip’ Amphibious
Emergency Life Vessel as an integral part of the Floatation
Raft

9.2.6 HULL

• Pressurized typical to submarines, and is attached to the Floatation Raft, but is not part of the
Floatation Raft.
• Accommodates the majority of the aquaculture facilities, including tanks, filtration, feeding
hoppers, spawning tanks and areas in the vessel where certain work relevant to aquaculture
takes place.
• The hull houses amongst other things a super computer and a molding workshop to replace
worn/broken pieces of MERSEA. The hull is made primarily from a polycarbonate composite
material (made from recycled plastic, including a steel cable weave, and solid steel panels) that is
rigid and completely corrosion resistant.
• The hull provides the surface on which marine organisms can live and propagate.
• Accommodates submarine bays for short distance submarine vessels
• Accommodates utilities access between the supermarine and submarine components, including
waste, food, electricity, sea water, hydrocarbons, lifts, stairwells and slides.
• Contains submarine life vessels in case of a sinking vessel.
• Accommodates living quarters for the population of MERSEA currently engaged in aquaculture
projects.

Isometric wireframe of basic structure of Hull

9.2.7 LOWER HULL

• Houses the Main Engine Room, Methane Digester, Hydrocarbon Fuel Synthesizer, Submarine
Bays, Prisons and Morgue.
• The lower hull provides essential buoyancy and stability for the massive structure, and houses
the structural core upon which the rest of MERSEA is built.
• Contains main catchment area for oceanic thermal convention generators, and Osmotic Power
generators using the products of the desalination works in the supermarine components
• Accommodates submarine life vessels, accessible to prisoners upon a sinking vessel
• Deep Sea Artificial Reef infrastructure allows larger deep sea animals to live and propagate
• Contains storage facilities for fuel and salt
• Contains sand ballast storage facilities and anchors

Wireframe of basic structure of Lower Hull

A wireframe side view of the proposed design for a MERSEA Vessel

9.3 ENGINEERING CHALLENGES OF THE MERSEA VESSEL

The engineering challenges of a vessel such as MERSEA may include the following:

The weight and size of the vessel may present challenges with strength of materials and buoyancy

The construction of such a massive vessel will take several years and will be largely located at sea,
since this vessel cannot be built on land. This presents a series of challenges concerning construction
techniques and equipment.

Corrosion of parts on board the MERSEA vessel will also be problematic, however since a large
percentage of the vessel is not constructed from steel or aluminium, the challenge of corrosion is
reduced. Additionally, extensive use of hard chrome electroplating is used with steel components.

Since this vessel is designed to have a usable seaworthiness of 500 years, considerations concerning
replacement parts will need to be addressed, and is done so using an on board moulding workshop

for replacement parts and panels that will periodically need to be repaired or recycled, reformed and
refitted.

9.4 CONSTRUCTION OF A MERSEA VESSEL

The construction of a MERSEA Vessel presents many difficult engineering challenges, due to its size and
complexity. The structural integrity of such a vessel would need to be able to withstand large pressure
differences of the different depths of each submarine component. The components would need to be small
and light enough to be assembled in a practical manner. Much of the construction work of a MERSEA Vessel
would use a Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FSPO) approach and be conducted on a proposed
platform called GPEM (Giant Plastic Eating Machine). GPEM would include many of the facilities necessary to
manufacture the components of a MERSEA Vessel. The raw material for these components of a MERSEA Vessel
would come from the cleanup and recycling of waste plastic oceanic deposits, such as those found in the Great
Pacific Garbage Patch.

COMPONENT MANUFACTURE ON LAND

Many of the components such as engines, computers, aquaculture equipment and glass panels would be
manufactured on land and shipped to the GPEM platform for the construction of MERSEA. Additionally most of
the structural components would be in part manufactured on land, then shipped to and assembled on the
FSPO platform of GPEM. Many installations including but not limited to Oceanic Agriculture Equipment,
Emergency Life Vessels, Living Units and Utilities Accommodations (Gas, Water, Electricity, and Fiber Optic
Cabling) would also be manufactured on land, since in most cases that would be the most cost effective way.

COMPONENT MANUFACTURE ON GPEM

A large proportion of MERSEA components would be manufactured on a GPEM platform, in most cases making
use of GPEM’s plastic recycling and reforming equipment. Components such as Paneling, Flooring, Piping and
other components that would comprise of a large percentage of plastic would be mass produced on GPEM.
Such components would be assembled on GPEM into the MERSEA construction.

ASSEMBLY ON GPEM

The assembly of MERSEA on GPEM would largely take place on the assembly platform. The Assembly Platform
of GPEM would form an integral part of a MERSEA Vessel, and once the assembly of MERSEA is complete, the
Assembly Platform of a GPEM would no longer exist as part of a GPEM Vessel. As part of the GPEM, cranes and
other heavy machinery would be used. The assembly of a MERSEA vessel on GPEM could be likened to a
potter’s wheel, where the incomplete MERSEA structure is rotated around a central axis, and the contraction
would take place in a radial fashion.

A proposed base design for a Giant Plastic Eating Machine (GPEM)

9.5 MAINTENANCE OF A MERSEA VESSEL

The Maintenance of a MERSEA Vessel would need to be self servicing, since a MERSEA vessel would not be
able to be serviced near land or in a typical ship yard. To accommodate this MERSEA incorporates an onboard
molding workshop to allow for the repair and replacement of various parts if needed.

9.5.1 MOLDING WORKSHOP

The molding workshop contains all necessary equipment and molds to repair or replace certain select
components of MERSEA. Since some of MERSEA components consist of recyclable thermoplastics, it is
conceivable that should one of the MERSEA parts fail, that it can be remelted and remolded. Additionally since
much of MERSEA is constructed from steel cable weave as a constituent component of the proposed
composite material called FiberCast, the steel cable weave can be rewoven from virgin material if needs be.

9.5.2 SUBMARINE MAINTENANCE

Most of the MERSEA vessel by weight will be submerged, and hence these components are also the most
difficult to repair without compromising a MERSEA vessels floatation ability. To facilitate this, when a
submarine panel needs to be replaced, the structural section is sealed and filled with water. Upon filling the
section with water a specialist submariner maintenance team would remove the damaged part. Once the
damaged part is repaired in the molding workshop, then the submariner maintenance team would refit the
panel and depressurize the structural section with air.

9.5.3 RECYCLABLE COMPONENTS

A list of recyclable components could include, but is not limited to:

Sectional Panels, Flooring, Ceilings, Components from the Greenlayer and other components from the
supermarine sections.

Recyclable components will consist of Thermoplastic, steel, natural fibers (such as hemp, sisal and flax), steel
cables and glass.

9.6 ONBOARD RESOURCES OF A MERSEA VESSEL

Since a MERSEA Vessel is isolated from land and will be in deep seas, at least 100kms adrift, fuel and food
resources would be impractical to renew on a regular basis. Therefore MERSEA is designed to accommodate
almost completely self sufficient energy, food and freshwater resources. The difficulties here may mean that
the operation of a MERSEA Vessel would need to be very frugal and all wastes would need to be utilised in a
fashion to increase the chances of the self sustainable ideal of a MERSEA Vessel. Regarding this. MERSEA
accommodates various forms of energy harvesting and storage.

9.6.1 ENERGY

The requirements of electrical energy for MERSEA will be conducted using a 12V distribution.
Energy on a MERSEA Vessel will be provided for largely from the oceanic environment, including the following:

9.6.1.1 SOLAR

The primary source of daily power for the operations of MERSEA will be from solar sources.

9.6.1.1.1 SOLAR VOLTAIC (PHOTOVOLTAIC)

Solar Voltaic installations of PV panels or Dye Synthesis (new and established PV technology) to provide
necessary electrical power when needed. The energy from the installations will be stored as hydrogen for use
in hydrogen fuel cells, for use on demand.

9.6.1.1.2 SOLAR THERMAL

Solar Thermal technology will be used to heat fresh water for the bathing purposes of the occupants of
MERSEA. Additionally a proposed Thermo Electric Converter technology will be used to supplement electricity
demands of a MERSEA Vessel. The products of the Thermo Electric Converter would be stored in reservoirs in
their unreacted state for use on demand. Solar Thermal power will also provide the power required to
condense water from the atmosphere for the provision of freshwater.

Proposed Prototype Design for a Thermo Electric Converter Reactor Unit

9.6.1.1.3 SOLAR LIGHT

The lighting demands for submarine components of MERSEA will be largely supplied by Solar Light energy
distributed by mirrors, prisms and fibre optic cables. The surface of the Climate Control Containment includes
mirrors which focus light to the Central Tower, from which it is then distributed using mirrors, prisms and fibre
optics to the lower decks of MERSEA.

9.6.1.2 OCEANIC THERMAL AND TIDAL

The MERSEA Vessel could conceivably accommodate oceanic thermal and tidal power generation installations,
however would be subject to a feasibility study of this power source. The electricity generated from an
installation would be stored in as hydrogen for use in hydrogen fuel cells, to facilitate power on demand.

9.6.1.3 OSMOTIC POWER

The viability of convection caused from the re dissolving of salt into sea water would need to be investigated
to ascertain that is may possibly be an additional power source. The salt that the proposed Osmotic Power
Generator would be products of the desalination works that provide the population of MERSEA with
freshwater.

9.6.1.4 METHANE AND HYDROCARBONS

All biological waste products from the activities of aquaculture, the proposed Oceanic Agriculture and Humans
would be collected and digested by microorganisms to produce methane gas. It is conceivable that by using
the huge pressures of up to 2kms deep, that this methane could be synthesized into other hydrocarbons such
as butane, propane and octane. These fuels would be the primary source of fuel for the engines and
propulsion systems. Butane could be used to provide the necessary fuel for gas burners for cooking or heating
requirements (of living quarters or aquaculture tanks)

9.6.1.5 WIND

The use of wind turbines and other existing wind generator technology would contribute to the electrical
energy requirements of MERSEA. Like other electrical storage, the energy from wind will be stored as
hydrogen for use in a hydrogen fuel cell array to provide power on demand. Additionally it is conceivable that
wind can be used by means of sails to provide additional propulsion for a MERSEA Vessel.

9.6.1.6 NO NUCLEAR POWER

I insist that since this is my PhD proposal, that no Nuclear power sources can be entertained in a MERSEA
Vessel, for reasons of safety and sustainability.

9.6.2 FRESHWATER

It is important that a consistent and good quality water supply will sufficiently meet the requirements of
humans and other non marine-aquatic species (animals found in the Greenlayer primarily) aboard a MERSEA
Vessel. To meet these requirements two proposed sources of fresh water are entertained. These include:

9.6.2.1 CONDENSATION

Very effective solar thermal powered condensation and refrigeration will be used to condense humid sea air to
provide a reliable and clean fresh water supply for the occupants of MERSEA. This technology is based upon
the technology devised for WaterGlobe, which is beyond the scope of this document.

9.6.2.2 DESALINATION

Desalination of water will be powered from exhaust gases of the engine room and the application of various
osmosis techniques to desalinate sea water. The salt from the process will be stored and used for osmotic
power generators, should feasibility studies indicate that Osmotic Power Generators could produce an
economical source of power.

9.6.2.3 WATER STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION

Water storage will be accommodated by a large container. A network of reticulated piping and pumps will
distribute water to all parts of the vessels occupied by humans.

9.6.2.4 ARTIFICIAL FRESHWATER ENVIRONMENTS FOR FRESHWATER FISH AND AMPHIBIANS

The Greenlayer includes some facilities for freshwater aquatic life, including amphibians, fish, crustaceans and
insects. These installations will also collect and filter precipitation from rain. The flow of these installations will
accumulate in a central fresh water dam, which will supplement the water storage facilities.

9.6.3 FOOD

Food provisions onboard a MERSEA vessel must be completely self sufficient since as a MERSEA Vessel will be
isolated from a landmass imports cannot be economically accommodated. In this regard the crop selection of
species needs to be coastal tolerant, and may only consist of open pollinated varieties of plants. The collection
of seed from the food crops is important to maintain a sustainable food source.

9.6.3.1 BIOMES

To accommodate a wide variety of species of plants and animals aboard a MERSEA Vessel, the Climate Control
Containment has climatically controlled divisions I refer to as Biomes. Each biome will have slightly different
conditions and may also be ‘seasonally adjusted’, meaning that in one Biome it could be a coastal winter, and
in other Biome could be a coastal spring, simultaneously. This is to ensure a collective maximum production of
food throughout the year. Additionally monoculture is not observed and a Polyculture is preferred.

9.6.3.2 COASTAL TOLERANT FOOD CROPS

A yet to be defined list of coastal tolerant food crops will be proposed as part of this PhD dissertation. The list
will include viable open pollinated species that can be sustainably cultivated within a MERSEA Biome. Fruit
trees such as avocado pears, litchis, mangos, papaya, peacan nuts and macadamia nuts will be grown within
these biomes.

9.6.3.3 FOOD PROVISIONS FOR AQUACULTURE ACTIVITIES

Suitable legume and grain crops will be grown to provide a source of balanced nutrition specifically for
aquaculture activities aboard a MERSEA Vessel. The importance of high protein crops must be considered
against the nutritional requirements of certain species lists that will be cultivated on a MERSEA Vessel.

9.6.3.4 FOOD PROVISIONS FOR HUMANS AND OTHER OCCUPANTS

Food provisions for humans including fast growing leafy vegetables and legumes are important to provide a
sufficient quantity of food for the human population of a MERSEA Vessel. Additionally fruits such as grapes and
berries will be grown to provide long term sustainable food provision that is rich in Vitamin C to ensure the
prevention of Scurvy and other diseases associated with malnutrition.

The population of MERSEA will be allowed to eat meat (from fish) twice a week, and for the other 5 days of the
week will be vegetarian. Therefore the correct selection of an appropriate species list of fast growing open
pollinated food crops will be very important.

To provide food for animals on the MERSEA Vessel a proper quantitative and qualitative balance of animal
species needs to be considered to maintain a sustainable ecology within the Greenlayer.

10. MERSEA COMMUNITY

Since the MERSEA Vessel is designed to serve as a long term marine ecosystem restoration vessel and will not
be able to come close to a land mass since its height will restrict it from approaching a land mass, the vessel
will be self governing. For the limited population of 2500 at anytime the political system most suited for the
governance aboard MERSEA will suit an autocratic democracy.

The MERSEA vessel can thusly be regarded as an independent nation, and thusly I propose that the Republic of
MERSEA would be a suitable title for this new nation.

Flag of Republic of MERSEA

10.1 CONSTITUTION, LAWS AND JUSTICE

The constitution of MERSEA will be similar to other developed countries where a few laws will be in place to
maintain peace and order. Some of the laws may include:

Absolute ban on alcoholic beverages
Absolute ban on tobacco use
Vegetarian diets will be enforced for 5 days a week
An elected council of 3 judges will pass down any sentencing

The onboard prison on MERSEA will facilitate the just punishment of transgressors of the laws of MERSEA.
Prisoners will serve time as sentenced by the justice council. Under no circumstances will executions be carried
out, however the penalty for murder will be life imprisonment, with no option for parole.

10.2 ECONOMY

The on board economy of MERSEA will not consist of any monetary exchanges. The economy of MERSEA is a
cashless barter/trade economy. The entire population of MERSEA will have an equal economic status, similar
to the ideal represented in communism. MERSEA society is hierarchical, by means of rank, similar to existing
ranks in naval vessels.

10.3 POPULATION CONTROL

To maintain a consistent population of 2500 for which the MERSEA vessel has been designed for, Reproduction
Licenses are bidded for and issued by the Justice Council. Upon the death of a crew member, including a
prisoner, a Reproduction License becomes available for a couple to reproduce and parent offspring. In the case
of twins or more, a proviso is made whereby the population may exceed the stipulated maximum, however a
reproduction license will not be issued upon the next death of a crew member.

To prevent inbreeding of a human population over a long term, special provisions are made to allow the
introduction of new genes into the gene pool at various intervals, subject to further research.

As far population demographics are maintained, the initial human population of MERSEA will be under 2500,
and allowances of 50 reproduction licenses are available. The age and sex demographic will remain relatively
stable during the period of 500 years.

To prevent unlicensed births of new people upon MERSEA, provisions are made to prevent pregnancies using
non destructive contraception in male and female genitals.

The race distribution of the initial population of MERSEA will include all races of humans, to ensure a genetic
biodiversity of the population. The cryogenically stored ovum and sperm are also equally genetically diverse.

10.4 EDUCATION

To ensure a sustainable population of MERSEA and the skills required maintaining aquaculture operations and
on board education system is compulsory for all people under the age of 15. Upon reaching the age of 15 a
graduate with basic education may choose to pursue a chosen career option as governed by the onboard
educational authority. Careers are not limited to aquaculture, although every member of the crew will be
required to participate in aquaculture activities for at least 5 years of their lives, as community service, similar
to compulsory military service in some countries.

10.5 HEALTH, DISEASE AND DEATH

To maintain the health of the population of MERSEA, all inhabitants are required to participate in exercise,
healthy eating and adequate rest for the prevention of avoidable diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart
disease. As for people who are rendered disabled by accident or from birth, a certain provision is made to help
the small population of people with such afflictions to lead a positive life and contribute to life on board
MERSEA. To control communicable diseases people are encouraged to isolate themselves in their living
quarters when illness strikes. A small hospital and aged care facility is included in the design of MERSEA. Upon
the natural or accidental death of a crew member, the body is prepared in the morgue and a funeral will take
place, upon which a plaque of remembrance will be issued, and the body will be released into the ocean.

10.6 DEFENSE

To avoid attacks from pirates or people who may wish to come on board uninvited a special defense
mechanism is planned to deploy a reusable net (NETEM Defense System) to capture a vessel or persons
attempting to compromise MERSEA national security. The persons are taken aboard and held captive until a
land mass is close, upon which an aircraft is used to remove the intruders from the vessel.

Sunrise on the North Coast of Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

11. BIBLIOGRAPHY

ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/008/j3957e/j3957e00.pdf

http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/003/W3244E/w3244e07.htm

http://reliefweb.int/node/174408

http://www.grid.unep.ch/product/publication/download/ew_overfishing.en.pdf

http://www.marinebio.net/marinescience/06future/olres.htm

http://www.nndb.com/people/250/000085992/

http://www.wiley.com/bw/journal.asp?ref=0173-9565&site=1

http://marinebio.org/oceans/marine-ecology.asp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_biology

http://www.eoearth.org/article/Marine_biodiversity

http://maps.grida.no/go/graphic/marine-species-diversity

12. CONCLUSION

In conclusion I would like to offer this proposal as a investigation into the modeling of MERSEA for the
purposes of examining the feasibility of such a vessel as an option to restore our depleted marine resources.
The importance of the research proposed in this paper is necessary for the continued prosperity of our oceans
and the continued sustainable exploitation of marine resources for food and recreation. The PhD dissertation
will be concluded within 2- 3 years of commencing of the research into MERSEA, where upon a conclusion will
be reached demonstrating the feasibility of such a vessel.

For the good of humankind and the re-establishment of oceanic wealth I would like to enter into further
discussion concerning a partnership with UMT to begin my research at the soonest convenience.

Brindle Bass

13. CONTACT
Chris Morton
Professional Inventor
Website : www.makenet.co.za
Email: chrism@makenet.co.za
Phone: 0768587777
Address:
1 Argyle Gardens
25 New Scotland Road
Pietermaritzburg
3201

The content contained in this document is the original work of Chris Morton and remains the intellectual property of the author.

MERSEA PhD Research Proposal

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