MEDICAL SUPPORT VESSEL FOR 2025

Currently there are significant challenges for humanitarian aid provision in developing countries regarding disaster and disease, such as: cholera; ebola; floods; drought. This project proposes a pontoon based medical support vessel concept for 2025, informed by the design of the Bibby Challenge offshore accommodation pontoon. The vessel is towed along the coast of a developing country by tug to the location of major disasters to provide support, otherwise it is used as a portable medical centre provision with a defined annual route. It would be operated by NGOs for humanitarian aid as a cost effective alternative to a hospital vessel. It uses the principles of Biophilia to enhance the interior environment, in order to improve the recovery of patients and the stress levels of staff. In the three days that it would take to erect a field hospital and the additional time and significant cost to transport the associated required infrastructure, the medical support vessel could travel a significant distance along the coast. The use of Passive Design significantly reduces operational costs of the vessel, and reduces the risk of air borne infection. The implementation of a modular adaptable interior, allows the vessel to be reconfigured in order to be optimised between the disaster relief role and a humanitarian aid provision in developing countries. Advanced HMI and communication technology support the effective management of the vessel as a resource.