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A CONVERSATION WITH… SUSTAINABILITYFEATURE

“There is a unique opportunity this year where African It is not accidental that the newly industrialised countries of Asia, starting presidents are preparing for their first summit devoted to with South Korea, had what they called developmental states. This was a research, science and technology, which will be held in bureaucracy that was focused largely on January 2007 in Addis Ababa. I intend to get copies of management projects and training to manage projects, and it insulated that whole this in the hands of all presidential offices so that they framework of project management from overall political interference. It was a very start thinking about the role of engineering as a central clearly defined institutional structure that component in development.“ was intended to protect the projects from failure. To a large degree, this actually worked. We can learn from those lessons on how investment projects were insulated from political interference. In Africa, it is exactly the reverse. Infrastructure projects are used as a basis for political campaigns by local Members of Parliament. It is totally politicised, and we need to think carefully about how to de-politicise the infrastructure of the projects.

PG: After you give your address tomorrow night, what would be the single most positive outcome you could hope for as a result of delivery?

CJ: I am very interested in seeing the extent to which this paper re-opens a debate on the role of engineering in development. If that debate can start to take place, I think we will be way ahead in terms of our thinking. At the moment, engineering is not on the development agenda. My challenge is to try to get this back on the agenda, with discussion as a starting point. I am very interested in redefining the context of the debate, because I think that a large part of the failure to use engineering and development has to do with the way it is perceived. The terms that we use exclude engineering, and so I would like to get that back on the political agenda. There is a unique opportunity this year where African presidents are preparing for their first summit devoted to research, SINKING science and technology, which will be held in January 2007 in Addis Ababa. I intend to get copies of this in the hands of all presidential offices so that they start thinking about the role of engineering as a central component in development. A Two years ago Europe’s first artificial was created off the coast of south east . Michael Leece OBE from the National Marine Further reference Aquarium explains why this innovative disposal was To see the full published transcript of the employed and how it has served as not only an exciting outreach 2006 Hinton Lecture see: www.raeng.org.uk/hinton2006 programme but also an important new home for marine life. Professor Peter Guthrie poses the questions for Calestous Juma © Dominic Joyeux 26 INGENIA ISSUE 29 DECEMBER 2006 Photo courtesy of Dave Peake INGENIA ISSUE 29 DECEMBER 2006 27 • Ingenia 29 14/11/06 3:56 pm Page 30

SINKING A FRIGATE SUSTAINABILITY

The selection of HMS Scylla, a and ready for the beginning Leander Class Frigate, as an of the 2004 dive season. We at was not random. the NMA quickly enlisted the To Plymouth and the services of consultants with surrounding area, HMS Scylla experience in explosive cutting had a particular appeal – she on similar projects. Their was the last warship to be built organisation was based in in Devonport Royal Dockyard. Canada and was supplemented This was an important factor by members of the Devonport- which contributed to securing based Southern the public funding (circa £1.4 Diving Unit, who also have million). Scylla was built in expertise in handling explosives. 1968, is 113 metres long with Insurance covering risks for a displacement of 2,500 tonnes Scylla’s tow from Portsmouth to and a beam of 13 metres. She Plymouth, her conversion period, had served in many locations final tow and placement, and including the subsequent post-placement and the and was events entailed an interesting decommissioned in 1993. HMS series of negotiations. UK Scylla was then bought by the underwriters had never been National Marine Aquarium in approached by a ship owner 2003 to be placed on the seabed who had deliberately bought as a reef. a vessel with the intention of sinking it at a pre-determined UNDERWATER location and time! ATTRACTION The creation of a reef using a PREPARING frigate is a well-proven system – HER BODYWORK Scylla on her final tow to placement site, on the morning of her sinking © Barry Batchelor/PA/EMPICS vessels have been placed on the Defra (Department for the seabed in Canada, Australia and Environment, Food and Rural New Zealand. The opportunity Affairs) is the UK Government of the Scylla project arose at a licensing authority, and Scylla time when the National Marine had to be made environmentally Aquarium (NMA) had decided sound according to standards to pursue more actively ‘man’s laid down by Defra. Any hazards interaction with the oceans’; the or harmful materials were key criteria of its charitable removed in order to make the objectives. ship fit for the seabed and The idea was to allow Scylla marine life. Once complete, the time to become colonised by ship then had all anemones, sea squirts and other removed. Potential snagging marine life, so that fish and hazards were eliminated, doors other mobile animals would be welded shut or open to ensure attracted to the developing reef. diver safety, and additional diver Scylla would then become an access holes were opened up exciting destination for divers. throughout the four-deck ship. Like all reefs, Scylla is a fragile Scylla was docked down to environment, and there is a remove the domes and voluntary 'no take zone' around to enable the neox stern glands the reef in the hope that fishing to be drained and the vessel will stop in the zone, allowing propellers removed. A four Scylla was built in 1968, is 113 metres marine life to develop to its full metre clearance between the long with a displacement of 2,500 tonnes potential. highest point of the reef and Being close to the placement the Lowest Astronomical and a beam of 13 metres. She had served site, Plymouth was selected as (LAT) has to be maintained so the location to carry out that the reef is not visible from in many locations including the Cayman preparation works on the vessel. above sea-level or land. In order Islands and the Persian Gulf and was To maximise the economic to maintain LAT clearance the impact, an early decision was main mast and the funnel decommissioned in 1993. made to have Scylla submerged were removed. The fireballs were not part of the sinking process, but proved a great media draw © Barry Batchelor/PA/EMPICS Courtesy of Henry Petherick-Brian 28 INGENIA ISSUE 29 DECEMBER 2006 INGENIA ISSUE 29 DECEMBER 2006 29 • Ingenia 29 14/11/06 3:56 pm Page 32

SINKING A FRIGATE SUSTAINABILITY

The bilge area and diesel tanks dive Scylla post placement to the sinking of the vessel were conditions on the two sides of were steam cleaned and major ensure the effective discharge carried out at WUMTIA (Wolfson the reef, different communities electrical cables removed. Final of all explosives and declare Unit for Marine Technology and will grow up. The starboard removal of hydrocarbons from Scylla safe to dive. Industrial Aeronautics). The side of the wreck is expected to the bilges and similar areas was A total of 168 explosive openings in the vessel were be the richest in marine life. Sea achieved through the use of charges enabled high-tech modelled, in sequence with Deck pre-cut holes squirts, sea anemones and soft ‘Oclansorb’,a dried peat which cutting devices to cut several the time that they were to corals such as dead man's absorbs hydrocarbons. The holes in strategic positions along be detonated. fingers will dominate the ultimate test was the absence the side of the ship. This would The important aspects of the Desk explosive tab cut panels communities. Curious fish like of any oil slick during the allow water on board and bring simulation were to ensure that pollack, bass and possibly scad vessel’s sinking. the ship down in a controlled the vessel had a positive GM for or mackerel should begin Diver access openings and manner. Figure 1 illustrates the as long as possible (see figure 3). appearing soon. The deep- routes were created. Each space location for some of the holes. This would be hindered if the Predicted waterline bodied bib will take up had two openings for access A tab cutter is a reference to the method and sequence of residence around the wreck, and/or egress. Where spaces final corner cutting of pre-burnt flooding resulted in water on a and it won't be long before the were deemed unsafe they were through areas of shell plate deck above a compartment that Deck explosive panel first conger finds a suitable hole physically blocked off and above the waterline. was not fully flooded, creating a to make its lair. Fairly quickly a entrances closed and locked. The primary explosive used free surface situation. The other colony of tiny animals called Divers have been given access on the day was LSC (linear- key factor was to ensure that the Figure 1. Diver access holes Courtesy of Devonport Management Ltd (DML) sea firs will develop and filter to the superstructure, all of decks shaped charge). LSC is an vessel had a bow down trim feeding animals like barnacles smoothly with Scylla resting on 1 and 2 and partial access to explosive enclosed in a seamless (this means that the ship sinks After one year around 50 will settle. Blennies and, in time, decks 3 and 4. Diving highlights metal sheath and fabricated in bow first). However, this could species had been observed the seabed almost vertically, triggerfish will start to feed on include the captain's cabin, continuous lengths shaped in not be too extreme, or there is on or around Scylla. By Summer 2005 her bow facing the south west, these settlers. the bridge, galley, mess decks the form of an inverted ‘V’. a risk of breaking the vessel in although not all of her keel is Scylla now provides a venue and living accommodation, When detonated, LSC produces if there is a very fast speed at in contact with the seabed. She for leisure diving and a centre operations room and the engine a uniform linear cutting action. impact. During the initial stages has now remained stable for for education and research as room. The boiler room became On detonation, the focusing of of the sinking process the vessel over two years. Scylla is located she becomes a reef. The a ‘no go’ area due to its confined the explosive high needs to remain upright and 50º 19.64N 004º 15.2W. National Marine Aquarium team and congested space. Video wave, as it becomes incident to initial stern down trim starts to Coverage of the event carries out regular dives in recordings were made of all the side wall, causes the metal be corrected. The vessel’s GM achieved unprecedented and coordinates areas and copied to the local sheath of the LSC to collapse – steadily decreases, as one would success, with the sinking being many marine based scientific police and other rescue services creating the cutting . This expect with rapid flooding (see broadcast live to over 26 programmes with the support in the event that they were high velocity plasma jet impacts box). The vessel then, on losing Figure 2. Scylla monitoring programme Courtesy of Keith Hiscock at Marine countries worldwide, and an of Plymouth's renowned Marine Biological Association required post placement. the target with considerable amounts of GM, audience of around 60 million Sciences Partnership. exceeding the target’s yield begins to heel. This heeling witnessing the final placement. The Scylla project strength, and literally pushes creates more water plane, which Dive activity began almost demonstrates that it is possible THAT SINKING the target material to either side is required for the vessel to immediately. Installation of web for public sector organisations FEELING of the path of the jet. The remain stable. cameras was carried out during to fund novel and contentious One of the project’s greatest sheath used was formed from Figure 4 shows that past the summer and autumn of 2004 projects in partnership with challenges was the installation copper and contained a core 24 seconds the vessel has little with connection to the surface professional organisations. An of explosives, since the Dockyard load of 1,200 grains per foot. or no GM and will therefore radio transmission buoy in 2005. initial Economic Impact Study and Devonport Naval Base This cutting technique produces capsize. The heel remains The electronics and cameras in by the South West Regional facilities operate under the clean, smooth edges, ideal for constant at 10 degrees and is the system provided live images Development Agency suggests auspices of a Nuclear Site diver access. not shown to increase during as designed. However, the that the £1.4 million capital Licence. Only the explosive the sinking. The trim steadily mooring system holding the expenditure has been recouped charges and their associated increases throughout the sinking communication buoy on station within the first year of operation. firing cords were placed prior SIMULATED SINKING in a bow down aspect. The has failed on two occasions due The NMA’s involvement with Our insurers required to departure from the Dockyard simulated actual sinking time to severe weather in shallow Scylla was instrumental in confirmation of Scylla’s structural – the detonators were fitted was recorded as two minutes water. Images have been securing £3.6 million of further integrity and stability during outside of the Dockyard Port of eight seconds. restored in 2006. funding to develop an transit to placement at site, Plymouth. To achieve the innovative science and and final sinking operations. required trim and stability during technology exhibition that So we performed an inclining HIDDEN DEPTHS the sinking process a timed DOWN SHE GOES enabled ‘ExplorOcean,’ experiment before the vessel left On 27 March 2004, Scylla was Results to date suggest that sequenced for the detonation of illustrating man’s interaction the dock that confirmed that she successfully placed on the the vessel is colonising much charges was incorporated. The with the oceans, to open in had adequate stability for the seabed. Through four balls of quicker than anticipated and no Southern Diving Unit (SDU) of March 2006. the Royal Navy controlled the specified conditions of tow to fire, reaching 20 metres into unusual environmental issues deployment of the detonators site. Computer modelling tests the air, spectators were treated have emerged. Figure 2 shows and their firing. In addition, the – excluding dynamic effects – to a pyrotechnic display. The examples of the colonisation to SDU team were to be the first to that were required to simulate placement operation went date. Because of the different

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SINKING A FRIGATE

“M” Metacentre

Lever arm to maintain stability when vessel heels

Waterline - Heeled

Waterline - Upright

“B”

“B”

GM In the simplest terms GM is a distance, the distance between the centre of gravity and the vessel’s metacentre. GM is a measure of stability where positive values = positive stability. Any freely floating object displaces its own of the liquid in which it floats. This weight acts downward through the centre of gravity (G) and is resisted by an upward buoyant force (equal to w), which acts through the centre of (B). This is the geometric centre of the submerged volume displaced by the vessel. The point through which all these vertical act when heeled is called the metacentre (M). Figure 4 Schematic courtesy of Simon Roulestone

Further reference See www.national-aquarium.co.uk/scylla

BIOGRAPHY – Michael J Leece OBE CEng FIMarEST FIMechE Michael Leece has been Chief Executive of the National Marine Aquarium since 1997, and in that time he has overseen further expansion and development of the Aquarium into an internationally recognised leader in the public engagement of science. He was awarded the OBE in November 2003 for services to tourism.

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