September 24, 2018

First Dutch woman marine trainee quits due to injury

Filed under: Dutch first,General by Orangemaster @ 11:26 am
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It was only since 1 January 2017 that women were allowed in the Dutch Marine Corps, and after finally having one woman approved for the programme, she has had to stop due to two consecutive injuries.

The woman, who started her training in January of this year, was also shielded from the media until she finished her training, after which the media could interview her.

Much like an athlete, she obviously knew that it was better to stop than to risk any more injuries, which all parties involved understand.

Although there are many differences throughout Europe, The Netherlands was never a leader when it came to having women join all branches of Defence, especially when it came to allowing women on submarines, which is still only scheduled for 2025.

(Link: nhnieuws.nl, Photo: www.lc.nl, www.defensie.nl)

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July 26, 2017

Russian submarine in Amsterdam has to go

Filed under: General,History by Orangemaster @ 12:21 pm

B-80

Even back in 2008 the Russian Foxtrot B-80 submarine that watches over Amsterdam North’s NDSM harbour was scheduled to be removed, but that never happened. The 90-meter-long submarine built in Riga in 1956 and brought to Amsterdam from Den Helder in 2002 for 56,000 euro by a local architect has been in the harbour since and now belongs to a Belgian company that has been served an ‘enforcement action’ to remove it.

Today, the submarine is considered to be a real risk because it is in poor condition. They were big plans for the B-80, from being a place for fashion shows, being turned into a presentation space and even becoming part of a ship museum, all ideas that fell in the water.

In 2009 the submarine was owned by a Turkish firm that wanted to tow it away in order to have it destroyed, but they were asked by the Dutch government to pay a hefty ‘deposit’ to guarantee that everything would go according to European regulations. The Turks didn’t want to pay the amount, something the Belgians tried to appeal in court as well, but lost. Now the Belgians have to tow it away, but we wonder how this is all going to be enforced.

And yes, the B-80 is a cool thing to look when you take the free ferry from Amsterdam Central Station and arrive 10 minutes later at the NDSM harbour.

(Link: parool.nl, Photo of Russian Foxtrot B-80 submarine by FaceMePLS, some rights reserved)

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October 27, 2016

Dutch company designs world’s fastest submersible

Filed under: Design by Orangemaster @ 11:31 pm

Submarine

Dutch company Ortega has designed the MK.1C, a three-seater electric submarine for divers, and claim it is the fastest of its kind in the world. It was also designed without a cover, as the submersible’s target market is marine biologists, underwater archaeologists and special forces who need to bail quickly, albeit underwater.

Powered by two high-power, electric motors and built for both over and under water activity, fully equipped with a trimming tank, on-board breathing apparatus and HUD navigation system, each vessel can also have magnetometers, sonar, FLIR, extra air supply or an extended cargo hold of up to 250 litres; all on-board equipment supports dive depths of up to 95 metres

Four giant batteries power the vessel, a brand called ‘Hancell’ made by Ortega exclusively for their submersible, which are carefully monitored and charged when needed. And yes, it’s all very Thunderball.

(Link: www.dezeen.com, Photo: screenshot Ortega)

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February 2, 2015

After the flying cat comes the badger submarine

Filed under: Art by Orangemaster @ 11:40 am

Badger

Dutch artist Bart Jansen first made the helicopter cat from his deceased pet cat Orville, which seemed predestined to fly. His project caused much controversy as to what people think is art and the fact that humans willingly kill and eat animals, but one well-preserved run over cat apparently flies in the face of common decency.

Jansen explains that, “transforming animals into water-ready machines isn’t without its difficulties.” Jansen has not yet found a lab willing to waterproof the creature, since badgers are a protected species in the Netherlands, which means the finished product can’t be exhibited, or exported abroad. For now, the badger and the project are on ice. You could say that him owning a dead badger is an issue.

Years ago Dutch artist Tinkebell caused an uproar when she killed her three-year-old cat to turn it into a handbag, claiming that it was a mercy killing because the cat was depressed.

(Link: www.independent.co.uk, Photo of Badger by Tatterdemalion, some rights reserved)

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