Japanese Tsunami Pod (What were they thinking?)

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by welder/fitter, Sep 30, 2011.

  1. welder/fitter
    Joined: Jun 2008
    Posts: 407
    Likes: 32, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 423
    Location: Vancouver

    welder/fitter Senior Member

    I watched/read this article on Yahoo, today, about a Japanese company that has designed & built a survival pod for tsunamis, earthquakes, etc. . The views of the interior of the pod are minimal, but sufficient to get some idea of the design. That "stripper's pole" in the center seems like a bad idea, to me, as does lack of personal restraints and that, imho, it should be outfitted like a liferaft, complete with rations & distress items. I'm interested in others' opinions.

    http://ca.news.yahoo.com/video/worl...pany-markets-tsunami-escape-pod-26790240.html
     
  2. Ad Hoc
    Joined: Oct 2008
    Posts: 7,773
    Likes: 1,678, Points: 113, Legacy Rep: 2488
    Location: Japan

    Ad Hoc Naval Architect

    It is pointless.

    Generally everyone is given sufficent warning of a tsunamii here, the alert system is excellent. The only poeple that need it would be those who live within a few kms of the epicentre and tsunami itself as they would ahve little or no warning, as the rest have adequate warning and can escape by car!. There in lies the problem..where is the next epicentre??

    Not forgetting to menton that how does the pod ensure the hatch is right way up when you want to open it...ie stability!!...its a sphere :eek:
     
  3. Percyis

    Percyis Previous Member

    If there are people who can use it effectively, then why is it pointless?

    As a sphere, the occupant can decide which way is up by simply moving within.
     
  4. Wavewacker
    Joined: Aug 2010
    Posts: 709
    Likes: 25, Points: 28, Legacy Rep: 226
    Location: Springfield, Mo.

    Wavewacker Senior Member

    Did ya notice how flemsy that hatch was when it was opened?

    That thing is all about the designer trying to make a buck, not real protection IMO.

    Wonder why it's not something that ten people can get in, just to sell the individually? Oh, more smaller units, less materials, more profit....:rolleyes:

    Maybe it's small enough you can carry it or roll it behind a vehicle when out in the lower countryside; Can you imagine being in that thing, going 30 mph hitting buildings, cars, trees and whatever? Ouch, it's not padded!

    I'll pass.....
     
  5. whitepointer23

    whitepointer23 Previous Member

    i don't understand why you are saying this when thousands of people died in the tsunami this year. you need to explain a bit better.
     
  6. viking north
    Joined: Dec 2010
    Posts: 1,868
    Likes: 94, Points: 48, Legacy Rep: 1146
    Location: Newfoundland & Nova Scotia

    viking north VINLAND

    This is an old idea--some 10 to 15 yrs. ago(might have been earlier) a company in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia came up with a similar vehicle only egg shaped to be used as lifeboats on ships and oil rigs. I believe they obtained Canada Transport Cert. and a Can/ US patent, however I'm not sure if they are still in production. Build it and they will come-- :)
     
  7. Ad Hoc
    Joined: Oct 2008
    Posts: 7,773
    Likes: 1,678, Points: 113, Legacy Rep: 2488
    Location: Japan

    Ad Hoc Naval Architect

    Obviously not clear enough.

    Ok...step by step :eek:

    Please tell me where the next epicentre and subequent tsunami will occur?
     
  8. Squidly-Diddly
    Joined: Sep 2007
    Posts: 1,958
    Likes: 176, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 304
    Location: SF bay

    Squidly-Diddly Senior Member

  9. kach22i
    Joined: Feb 2005
    Posts: 2,418
    Likes: 111, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 1222
    Location: Michigan

    kach22i Architect

    The video says it seats four adults, should have stipulated or one American.:D

    From the Wiki link above:
    I rented that movie a few months ago, it was pretty good.

    Everyone getting in their car at the same time driving like mad to save their lives, sounds safe to me.
     
  10. keysdisease
    Joined: Mar 2006
    Posts: 794
    Likes: 43, Points: 28, Legacy Rep: 324
    Location: South Florida USA

    keysdisease Senior Member

    Not if it comes with the appropriate accessory :)

    Steve

     
  11. Percyis

    Percyis Previous Member


    That's irrelevant.

    Where will the next typhoon hit and how big will it be? How about the next major flooding episode, or serious fire in a hyper crowded urban environment? Safety functions are not predicated on absolute predictability, but more on the mathematical likelihood of an event.

    On a more personal level, you are surrounded by safety features that are designed to handle events that probably have not happened to you, nor will they ever. Still, you have paid for the research and modification in the price of the product.
     
  12. welder/fitter
    Joined: Jun 2008
    Posts: 407
    Likes: 32, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 423
    Location: Vancouver

    welder/fitter Senior Member

    Living in Japan and involved in the design & construction of marine vessels, I appreciate that "Ad Hoc" would have a pretty good idea of the value of an "escape pod". My thoughts were more along the lines of quality of design/construction of the pods being manufactured by the subject company. "Wavewacker" summed up my impressions with his comments. The "sphere on a stick" stability concept of one steel sailboat "designer" would probably help to keep "up" as "up", until the appendage snapped off. Of course, we know that the Brits have had their version ready for decades:
     

    Attached Files:

  13. daiquiri
    Joined: May 2004
    Posts: 5,371
    Likes: 258, Points: 93, Legacy Rep: 3380
    Location: Italy (Garda Lake) and Croatia (Istria)

    daiquiri Engineering and Design

  14. Poida
    Joined: Apr 2006
    Posts: 1,188
    Likes: 51, Points: 48, Legacy Rep: 497
    Location: Australia

    Poida Senior Member

    The question really is, why were people killed?

    Is it because they couldn't swim?

    Or they could swim but crushed between rubble?

    So before you work out how to save them, you need to find out what killed them.

    Without that information and looking at the videos, an infatable rubber raft, crash helmets and PFDs installed in houses would be the best deal.
     

  15. paradoxbox
    Joined: Oct 2011
    Posts: 8
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Tokyo

    paradoxbox Junior Member

    People killed in the tsunami were either too old or young to run away, or flat out ignored the tsunami warnings.

    I live in Tokyo and we had tsunami warnings immediately after the shaking stopped, or even during the shaking.. People who ignored the warnings got caught by the water, and those too old or too young to escape from low lying places would not benefit from a "tsunami pod" anyway.

    Tsunami warnings are hard to miss..During the big one sirens were blaring everywhere all over the country.
     
Loading...
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.