5 ms·

Just FYI, you can expect launch and reentry Gs <3, which a healthy adult can handle no problem. Instead of helicopter, ferry can do. Overall the process will

Just FYI, you can expect launch and reentry Gs <3, which a healthy adult can handle no problem. Instead of helicopter, ferry can do. Overall the process will be not dramatically different from modern airport experience.

deleted 6y ago
[deleted]
dane-pgp 6y ago
> Instead of helicopter, ferry can do. What about a seaplane? Depending on the number of passengers, that might make sense. I also wondered about Hyperloop tunnel starting under the seabed, which a submersible capsule could dock with, but that seems much less realistic.
- ghaff 6y ago
  No real way to get from a seaplane up to the rig deck.
  - m4rtink 6y ago
    What about a simple floating pier ? Then elevator or stairs from that to the deck. It's not like you need to park these ex-oil-rigs in the super hardcore sea state areas many of them need to operate when actually drilling.
- cnlevy 6y ago
  Or standard high-speed train on a floating bridge ? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evergreen_Point_Floating_Bridge https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evergreen_Point_Floating_Bridg...
- LargoLasskhyfv 6y ago
  No need to dig: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submerged_floating_tunnel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submerged_floating_tunnel
ghaff 6y ago
I haven't been in the oil business for a long time but to get from a boat deck to the rig deck (actually the heliport in my experience) requires a transfer by a personnel basket which is apparently still used. https://www.grandoceanmarine.com/marine-safety-equipments/personnel-transfer-basket/ https://www.grandoceanmarine.com/marine-safety-equipments/pe... That's a bit different from a "modern airport experience." We would usually take helicopters out but if weather didn't cooperate (or the oil company we were working for didn't want to pay for it), we would sometimes take work boats. Added: I assume though if someone wanted to do so, they could design an enclosed capsule of some sort that people could sit in and that capsule could be lifted with a crane which would be a bit less "exciting."
- jessriedel 6y ago
  They plan to use high-speed ferries, not helicopters.
  - beerandt 6y ago
    Re-read his comment. Boat to rig personnel xfer is usually done by a crane/basket lift. In this case, the helipad is just where they drop the basket, since it's already a designated clear zone.
    - rtkwe 6y ago
      For a passenger port though they'll probably come up with something different. Not sure if there's anything preventing a fairly normal dock from being added to the rig at water level with an elevator to take people to the main levels along on of the legs.
      - beerandt 6y ago
        Among other reasons, waves. The boat moves, the rig doesn't. If docks were feasible, they'd use them on existing floaters. They don't.
dogma1138 6y ago
Small children, babies, 85 year olds, disabled people all fly and probably make much more of the passenger population than you think. Also with the levels of obesity in many countries and other conditions I’m not sure how many “healthy adults” over the age of 30-35 you’ll find that could handle 3G without any risk. I think the start ship on earth concept is a pipe dream, I give hyperloop a better chance of succeeding.

deleted 6y ago

[deleted]

dane-pgp 6y ago

> Instead of helicopter, ferry can do. What about a seaplane? Depending on the number of passengers, that might make sense. I also wondered about Hyperloop tunnel starting under the seabed, which a submersible capsule could dock with, but that seems much less realistic.

ghaff 6y ago
No real way to get from a seaplane up to the rig deck.
- m4rtink 6y ago
  What about a simple floating pier ? Then elevator or stairs from that to the deck. It's not like you need to park these ex-oil-rigs in the super hardcore sea state areas many of them need to operate when actually drilling.
cnlevy 6y ago
Or standard high-speed train on a floating bridge ? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evergreen_Point_Floating_Bridge https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evergreen_Point_Floating_Bridg...
LargoLasskhyfv 6y ago
No need to dig: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submerged_floating_tunnel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submerged_floating_tunnel

ghaff 6y ago

I haven't been in the oil business for a long time but to get from a boat deck to the rig deck (actually the heliport in my experience) requires a transfer by a personnel basket which is apparently still used. https://www.grandoceanmarine.com/marine-safety-equipments/personnel-transfer-basket/ https://www.grandoceanmarine.com/marine-safety-equipments/pe... That's a bit different from a "modern airport experience." We would usually take helicopters out but if weather didn't cooperate (or the oil company we were working for didn't want to pay for it), we would sometimes take work boats. Added: I assume though if someone wanted to do so, they could design an enclosed capsule of some sort that people could sit in and that capsule could be lifted with a crane which would be a bit less "exciting."

jessriedel 6y ago
They plan to use high-speed ferries, not helicopters.
- beerandt 6y ago
  Re-read his comment. Boat to rig personnel xfer is usually done by a crane/basket lift. In this case, the helipad is just where they drop the basket, since it's already a designated clear zone.
  - rtkwe 6y ago
    For a passenger port though they'll probably come up with something different. Not sure if there's anything preventing a fairly normal dock from being added to the rig at water level with an elevator to take people to the main levels along on of the legs.
    - beerandt 6y ago
      Among other reasons, waves. The boat moves, the rig doesn't. If docks were feasible, they'd use them on existing floaters. They don't.

dogma1138 6y ago

Small children, babies, 85 year olds, disabled people all fly and probably make much more of the passenger population than you think. Also with the levels of obesity in many countries and other conditions I’m not sure how many “healthy adults” over the age of 30-35 you’ll find that could handle 3G without any risk. I think the start ship on earth concept is a pipe dream, I give hyperloop a better chance of succeeding.