Blue Frontiers Ship: A Hospital Ship for a Sustainable Future

Revolutionizing Healthcare Delivery in Coastal Regions

The Blue Frontiers Ship, designed by Luis Felipe Burigotto Rocco, is a groundbreaking concept that aims to address the healthcare needs of coastal regions. Inspired by recent global tragedies, Rocco set out to create a hospital ship equipped with renewable energy sources and state-of-the-art medical facilities, providing much-needed support to areas lacking access to healthcare.

The Blue Frontiers Ship stands out from other hospital ships due to its unique features and strengths. With over a billion people living in coastal regions, this innovative design offers a fast and economical solution to reach those in need. The ship is equipped with hybrid propulsion, allowing it to capture energy from solar panels, wind turbines, and generators. This sustainable approach ensures a constant and reliable power supply, even in remote locations.

Logistics play a crucial role in delivering medical supplies to affected areas. The Blue Frontiers Ship addresses this challenge with strategically positioned reefers containers on the sides, enabling quick and efficient supply chain management. Additionally, support cars can be utilized when necessary, further enhancing the ship's ability to provide timely assistance.

The construction of the Blue Frontiers Ship utilizes shipbuilding techniques that involve prefabricated sections. These sections are welded together in the shipyard, using materials such as steel, aluminum, and glass. The result is a sturdy and durable vessel capable of withstanding the demands of its mission.

Technical specifications of the Blue Frontiers Ship include a hull length of 180m, a beam of 28m, and a draft of 7.3m. With 12 decks, the ship can accommodate a crew of 500 and has 160 patient beds, ensuring ample space for medical staff and those in need of care.

The hospital ship operates in fixed locations for seasons, typically lasting a year or half a year, depending on demand. This approach allows for efficient deployment and utilization of resources, maximizing the ship's impact on the communities it serves.

The Blue Frontiers Ship project commenced in October 2015 in São Paulo and was completed in March 2016. Throughout the design process, extensive research was conducted on architectural medicine, solar and wind power, and naval ship concepts. The challenge of integrating a large solar capture area with wind turbines, without compromising efficiency, required innovative thinking and careful planning.

Recognizing the significance of this design, the Blue Frontiers Ship was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in 2016. This prestigious accolade is bestowed upon designs that exhibit exceptional creativity, resourcefulness, and a commitment to improving quality of life. The Blue Frontiers Ship exemplifies these qualities, offering a sustainable solution to healthcare delivery in coastal regions.

The Blue Frontiers Ship, designed by Luis Felipe Burigotto Rocco, represents a beacon of hope for coastal communities in need of medical assistance. Its renewable energy capabilities, efficient logistics, and state-of-the-art facilities make it a game-changer in the field of healthcare delivery. By combining innovation, sustainability, and compassion, the Blue Frontiers Ship paves the way for a brighter and healthier future.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: Luis Felipe Burigotto Rocco
Image Credits: Luis Felipe Burigotto Rocco, 2016.
Project Team Members: Designer: Luis Felipe Burigotto Rocco
Project Name: Blue Frontiers Ship
Project Client: Luis Felipe Burigotto Rocco


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