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The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games are scheduled to be conducted from August 08 to 24, 2008 in China.

The newly built blue-colored National Aquatics Center (NAC) at Beijing, called as Water Cube was inaugurated on January 28 and is now ready to host Aquatics(Swimming, Synchronized Swimming, Diving and Water-Polo). The Water Cube is expected to declare 46 Olympic Gold Medalists. The water Cube is constructed in a vast area of 79,532 square meters and has a seating capacity of 17,000 (6,000 permanent and 11,000 temporary).

To make this Water Cube ready for Olympic Games, China would be hosting

• “Good Luck Beijing” Swimming China Open from January 31 to February 5.
• the 16th FINA Diving World Cup 2008 from February 19 to 24.
• the 2008 Olympic Games Synchronized Swimming Qualification Tournament from April 16 to 20.

Some of the interesting features of the Water Cube considered as an Green Architectural Wonder are:

• In July 2003, the design of the NAC was officially finalised.
• The work was commenced on December 24, 2003 and after completion was inaugurated on January 28, 2008.
• Budgeted cost:1 billion yuan (US$130 million). Actual cost likely to exceed.
• The only venue for the Beijing Games that was constructed with donations from overseas Chinese.
• The transparent blue rectangular bubbles that look like water bubbles which form the external structure of the Water Cube are made from membrane like light weight transparent material known as ETFE cushions.
  • ETFE (Ethylene-Tetra-Fluoro-Ethylene) air cushions allow high levels of natural daylight into the building and harness solar energy to heat the building and the pool.
  • 3,000 cushions were installed at the Water Cube covering a total area of 110,000 square meters.
  • The ETFE cushions, which are expected to last for up to 30 years, can withstand the full force of an adult jumping repeatedly on them.
  • By using the light weight ETFE, Water Cube’s structural steel weight and cost was considerably reduced.
  • Further cost reductions were done by manufacturing this ETFE through Joint Venture locally thus avoiding imports.
  • Use of ETFE in Water Cube is not only the first of its kind in China and is the world’s largest and most complex ETFE project.
• The participants and spectators would enjoy soft natural lighting inside the Water Cube.
• Solar energy panels are used to control the temperature of the pools and interior.
• Water Cube will be able to recycle 80 percent of the water used. This will have environmental benefits and also make the complex much more self-reliant in terms of its water supply.
• Also the design of Water Cube is unique in terms of water-saving and environmental protection. The outer surface and roof facade can harvest 10,000 tons of rain water, 70,000 tons of clean water and 60,000 tons of swimming pool water annually.
• The venue can also save 140,000 tons of recycled water a year.
• Co-designed by the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), Arup Engineering Group and PTW Architects.
• Other environmental design efforts covered an air-conditioning system, surface water exploitation and ventilation system.

After the Games, Water Cube would become a multi-purpose leisure and swimming center including a gym and an ice rink.

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Get ready to attend the biggest outdoor boat show Victoria has ever seen. Melbourne International Boat and Lifestyle Show 2008 has something for everyone. View $100 million worth of boating products ranging from luxury million dollar cruisers to holidays and accessories. The Marina will house a number of Power Boats and Yachts ranging in size from 30 foot to 100 foot.

When?

February 1 - February 3, 2008

Where?

NewQuay and Waterfront City Precincts, Docklands at Melbourne, Victoria

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Year 1997 was last observed as International Year of Reef. IYOR 97 encouraged participation by 225 organizations in 50 countries and territories. More than 700 articles in papers and magazines were published. Further, scientific surveys were undertaken and numerous local and global organizations pledged their support to coral reef conservation.

Even after ten years of creating awareness about reefs and associated ecosystems, the desired results to conserve the reefs is not achieved. Hence, the International Coral Reef Initiative has designated year 2008 as the International Year of the Reef (IYOR 2008).

IYOR 2008 will:

• Strengthen awareness about the ecological, economic, social and cultural value of coral reefs and associated ecosystems
• Improve understanding of the critical threats to coral reefs and generate both practical and innovative solutions to reduce these threats
• Generate urgent action at all levels to develop and implement effective management strategies for conservation and sustainable use of these ecosystems.

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Presently the longest undersea car tunnel Aqualine Expressway, is in Japan which was opened in December 1997. The 15.1 km long (9.5 km undersea) tunnel at a depth of 60 metres, runs under Tokyo Bay and connects Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, with Kisarazu east of the capital. The tunnel saves a distance of 50 miles of journey between the cities.

Now the world’s longest (26 to 29 km long, length of undersea part is to be finalised) undersea car tunnel is being planned to connect Oyster Bay and Rye on the New York mainland.

• The tunnel would ease out traffic congestion to travellers going between Long Island and New England to avoid crowded New York City highways.
• The tunnel at an estimated cost of US$10 billion would be taken up by a developer without draining tax payers money.
• The expected completion is not before 2025.
• The tunnel would consist of two tubes carrying three lanes of traffic each, plus a central tunnel to be used for maintenance.

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Image Source:tamilnadutourism

The beautiful Marina beach of chennai, claimed to be the second largest beach in the world is to get floating fountains.

• Two floating fountains are expected to be installed in sea waters off marina beach.
• The fountains with spray height of 100 feet would be having colourful lights for night view.

Here is the location of Marina beach, Chennai

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Ship Recycling Industries Association in India has admitted that 53 ships were beached at Alang Ship Recyling (Breaking) Yard without mandatory Gas free certificates for Hot Work. This is in violation of the court order issued in September 2007.

Now the Association is trying to convince the court

• that Gas Free certificates are relevant only to Oil Tankers.
• that regulations regarding radioactive components are to be applicable to nuclear fuelled ships only.

Though the Association’s views are logical in a broader view, the procedures to ensure safety can not be compromised. Suitable local government agencies in the ship breaking yard have to ensure that Safety Comes First and Always. Also safe working conditions for the personnel in the yard are to be ensured.

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Lakshadweep, tiny island groups in the western part of India are located 200 to 300 km away from the main land. Access to these islands are available through sea and air.The island group consists of Minicoy,Kalpeni,Androth,Agatti,Kavaratti,Amini,Kadmat,Kiltan,Chetlat,Bitra,Bangaram and Pitti islands. It is interesting to note that some of the Indian Naval Ships are having the names of these islands. The Administrative Head Quarters of Indian Union Territory of Lakshadweep is located at Kavaratti.These islands are the only coral reef islands in India, with rich flora and fauna. Watersports, Sight seeing and Fishing are the added attractions to tourists coming to these islands.

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Source:comomag, arete

Sri Lankan Navy has placed mines in Indo Srilankan maritime border to check sea based terrorisim in their soil. With lot of fishing activities going in the narrow stretch of sea, the Sri Lankan mines are going to act as death traps for the Indian fishermen.

• placing mines is violation of international conventions
• mines are planted between Nedunthivu and Kachathivu, to prevent terrorist activists from crossing to Indian territorial waters
• the Indian Navy officials have been informed to warn the Indian fishermen against crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL)
• unfortunately, many fishermen can not identify IMBL and distinguish between Indian and Sri Lankan waters

This is going to put pressure on Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard to ensure safe seas for the Indian fishermen.

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Economic progress and development of any country depends on availability and sustainability of energy resources to meet the requirements of that country.

By 2015, China’s oil imports from Middle East is likely to reach 70% of its total oil imports. The oil from the Middle East reaches China through the sea route. China has rightly and wisely foreseen this energy dependence from the Middle East. To ensure smooth flow of oil from Middle East, China has identified the need to have control over this sea route in case of any conflicts. To protect this sea route, China has knit String of Pearls along this sea route.

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Australia, the worlds smallest continent is having the finest Marine Complex to cater the needs of marine industry, namely: shipbuilding, technology, support and fabrication.

The Australian Marine Complex

• is located on the shores of Cockburn Sound, 23 kilometres south of Perth, Western Australia. Cockburn Sound is also home to Australia’s naval defence capability for the Indian Ocean Region, including the Collins class submarine fleet.
• has established international credentials for the repair, maintenance and construction of naval and commercial vessels, as well as infrastructure for the fabrication and assembly of offshore oil and gas modules.
• has become Australia’s leading integrated industrial estate with a deepwater port, world-class multi-user load out and fabrication facilities, and high-wide load road access.
• houses more than 100 businesses establishments.
• has the financial backing of the Australian Federal Government and Western Australian State Government.

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Cuddalore, an Indian Port in Tamilnadu has started unloading cargo after 12 years. The deepening of the south and north breakwaters of the port at a cost of Rs.6.5 crore has helped the port to commence commercial activities. During the last 12 years only small vessels used to arrive for getting certificates of sea worthiness.

• A cargo ship, M.V. Bao Shun, carrying the Kingstown St. Vincent flag, has anchored at the Cuddalore Port, 1.5 km offshore on January 18.
• She has brought 24,400 tonnes of urea from China. The cargo unloading commenced on January 19 and is expected to complete in two weeks.The cargo is being towed to the port in a 400-tonne barge.
• The arrival of the cargo ship has generated direct and indirect employment to about 2,000 people, including the barge crew and those required for unloading the bags and stacking it in the godown.
• The shipping agents, Atlantic Shipping Pvt Ltd, Chennai, and ADJ and Brothers, Cuddalore, have brought the cargo for Nagarjuna Fertilizers Pvt. Ltd.
• Now the port is ready to receive cargo vessels regularly and has the potential to become a busy port. Earlier, the port was busy importing essential commodities such as wheat and rice and exporting iron ore.

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Is there any one who can remember Wego Kite Tube ? Was it a deadly water toy ? or Was it meant only for adventure water sports lovers ?

Read on to know more.

• The Wego Kite Tube a (recalled or withdrawn) product of  Sportsstuff is a 10-foot-wide, circular, yellow inflatable watercraft designed to be towed behind a power boat.
• A rider in the tube becomes airborne by pulling on handles attached to the floor of the tube.
• The floor of the tube has black caution warning stripes. The cover for the product bears a skull and crossbones and the statement “Never Kite higher than you are willing to fall.”
• The tubes were imported and sold through marine distributors, mail order catalogs, and various retailers from approximately October 1, 2005 to July 11, 2006 for about $500 to $600.

About 19000 Wego Kite Tubes were withdrawn from the public who bought these water toys as more accidents and injuries were reported while using this water toy. In fact, Wego Kite Tube of Sportsstuff was the winner of the 9th Annual Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association Sports Product of the Year Award in 2006. Though the Kite Tubes were not defective in design or unreasonably dangerous, Sportsstuff in a customer friendly manner offered to replace all the customers who bought this water toy with  products of comparable value. 

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Kochi, an Indian Port has been confirmed as the host port for the second stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09. The Kochi stopover port agreement was signed at a function in Kochi on January 18 by Volvo Ocean Race Director Andy Hindley and Cochin Port Trust Chairman N Ramachandran.

• Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 is scheduled to start in Alicante, Spain, on October 04.
• The race will cover 39,325 nautical miles before ending in July 2009 in St. Petersburg, Russia.
• The Indian stopover will come at the end of the second leg of the race from Cape Town, South Africa. Kochi will be the first of three new ports in Asia.
• The other stopover ports include Cape Town, Singapore, Qingdao, Rio De Janeiro, Boston, Galway, Goteborg and Stockholm.
• The seven yachts participating in the race is scheduled to arrive in Kochi in December 2008. After a stay for 10 days at Kochi, the third leg of the race would start to Sentosa Island in Singapore.
• A race village spread over 2.5 acres will be set up near the BTP berth at Willingdon Island,Kochi.
• The event is expected to give a boost to tourism and India would become a venue for hosting major sporting events in the future.
• The Yachting Association of India (YAI), an active advocate of the race coming to India has also been successful in its bid to stage the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in 2010.

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Milan is a Hindi word for Meeting.

Indian Navy is hosting Milan 2008 from today (January 18) to strengthen Friendship across the Seas. Milan is conducted at Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar Islands under the overall command of the Commander – in – Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command on behalf of the Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy. This event is of six days duration and is expected to conclude on January 23. Milan is a biennial meeting of navies of the Indian Ocean region and is held for building friendship and mutual understanding between participating navies. The first Milan was conducted in 1995.

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A Data Centre is the master control centre of a computer network comparable to the Bridge of a ship.

A Data Centre requires

• adequate space
• uninterrupted electrical power
• airconditioning
• fire detection and fire fighting arrangements
• a safe and secure environment

All these resources are available in a ship and International Data Security (IDS) company is planning to set up 22 such centres around the world in decommissioned container ships. Also setting up and maitenance costs of floating data centres are expected to be cost effective comparing to land based data centres. These Floating Data Centres need not to be mobile and hence propulsion machinery are not required.

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