Valve co-founder Gabe Newell is funding the construction of the RV11000, a deep-sea research ship worth nearly €700 million (around $815 million).
Main features include:
- 162 meters (531 feet) long.
- Room for up to 130 scientists and crew.
- Support for missions as deep as 11,000 meters (36,000 feet), reaching the deepest ocean parts.
- Built for mapping the ocean floor, collecting samples, and supporting deep-sea submarines and underwater robots.
- A large battery system allowing quiet operation for up to 12 hours without disturbing marine life.
- Four stabilizers to keep the ship steady in rough seas.
- Modern laboratories, workshops, offices, and private rooms for researchers.
- A large crane and special equipment for launching and recovering deep-sea vehicles.
The ship is being built by the Norwegian company VARD for Inkfish, Gabe Newell’s marine research organization.
It is expected to enter service in 2030 and will help scientists explore largely unknown ocean areas.