Researchers have been showing off a 355 ft vertical ship in the Pacific Ocean, as it marks its 50th birthday.


FLIP, or Floating Instrument Platform, is owned by the US Navy, and
flips from horizontal to a vertical position by pumping 700 tonnes of
seawater into the ‘handle’ end.
Air is then pumped into the opposite end, causing it to rise up out of the sea.


Everything on board is designed to flip along with the ship,
including beds, ketchup and other condiments, and even the bathroom
sinks.
The design allows researchers to take acoustic measurements, and
study meteorology, physical oceanography and air-sea interactions.