Also a traditional fishing boat, this model incorporates floats to transform it into a lifeboat during storms at sea. This concept was developed by engineer Nguyễn Xuân An, President of the Vietnam Gemstone Association.
 |
Model of a Floated Basket Boat |
The floated basket boat resembles a regular basket boat, but it features a layer of floats shaped like rings around the boat’s sides. The float material is made of styrofoam, which is commonly used for insulation and soundproofing.
The key technology lies in a valve located at the bottom. The floated basket boat operates like a regular boat when the valve is closed. When the boat starts to sink, the person in distress must find a way to open the valve. At that moment, the buoyancy of the water acting on the float causes water inside the boat to escape through the valve, allowing the boat to rise and function as a rescue float. The victim can then close the valve and bail out the water from inside the boat to continue their tasks or wait for rescue.
According to engineer An’s calculations, the floated basket boat with an outer diameter of 2 meters has a maximum buoyancy capacity of half a ton, meaning that a weight of this magnitude is required to compress the float to the water level. However, to ensure that the float remains 20 to 30 centimeters above the water’s surface, the boat should carry a maximum of 4 to 5 people.
The floated basket boat is equipped with a safety harness to withstand the impacts of wind and storms. One end of the harness is securely attached to the boat, while the other end has a hook that connects to a belt, ensuring that the person on the boat remains connected to it. Additionally, there is a float strap around the outside of the boat for victims to hold onto.
Mr. An mentioned that he has created a model of the floated basket boat scaled to 1/4 the size of a real boat and successfully tested it in a fish pond. He believes that materials such as bamboo, rattan, and vines can be used to encase the floats and secure them to the boat’s body. The cost of a floated basket boat is approximately 20-50% higher than that of a regular basket boat, and the usable space is also reduced due to the need to accommodate the floats.
According to engineer Nguyễn Vũ Hà, a specialist at the Inspection Center, Directorate of Exploitation and Protection of Aquatic Resources, Ministry of Fisheries, Mr. An’s floated basket boat is a good idea, but practical experiments are needed to fully assess its usability.
Mr. Vũ Hà believes that using traditional basket boats as lifebuoys is currently impractical because the materials used, such as bamboo and rattan, are prone to damage. Meanwhile, the standards for floats require a smooth surface. To realize this float boat concept, it would be necessary to construct the basket boat using lighter materials with better buoyancy and smoother surfaces.
Engineer Hà stated that he will report this solution to the leadership of the Directorate of Exploitation and Protection of Aquatic Resources for further discussions.
