Subject: Economics of SEACELLS
Ray Leonard writes:
Many things are technically feasible the question is are they economical?It is quite possible that the large structures we all envision for Oceania will be developed along the lines of oil platforms, with superstructures well above the sea. Of course, it will be interesting to get some actual statistics on 1,000 year storm wave heights and surges for parts of the Caribbean of interest. One of the prime locations is below 12 degrees latitude, and obviously has much smaller 1000-year waves than Gulf or North Sea oil platforms. Another, the original location still favored by Eric Klien, is below 9 degrees latitude.
None of which speaks to the question of whether SEACELL technology is economical. A similar concept based in concrete is used for bridges, do you say? Excellent! I'm sure Richard will be thrilled. Of course, his concept is also modular, easily fabricated, easily added to, much more readily transported, stackable, easily repaired ... but it is great that the basic idea is accepted by civil engineers as sound.
Neither Richard Morris nor I believe the foundation of Oceania will be plastic SEACELL units based on his original design. Indeed, he has prepared designs for a larger scale version. One of the reasons we want Sea Structures Inc to be a thriving concern is to conduct research in this area. Any engineer will tell you that scaling things up or down is one of the major challenges of any engineering undertaking. Many things resist scaling with a vengeance.
However, Richard and I both believe that there is a substantial market for SEACELL technology. Not everyone needs an island. Indeed, the market for private islands is probably well met by existing marginal real estate currently on the market (e.g., "Little San Salvador" in the Bahamas, a six-mile island with limited freshwater currently offered through Sotheby's for $6 million; it's location in the territory of the Bahamas makes it unattractive for libertarian idealists seeking minimal taxation and other rights). But very many people need boat ramps, houseboats, boat houses, swimming pools, docks, buoys, marinas, piers, and other floating structures. That is where we believe we'll make Sea Structures significant: providing floating platforms for established markets.
There is nothing harder, and as a space business professional I have direct personal knowledge, than trying to start a business for an "emerging" or "nascent" market. New businesses do not do well serving new markets. They can, however, make excellent money serving established markets with a new product. That is what we are endeavoring to attempt.
Thanks.
Jim