This sorry sight is enough to give any captain a sinking feeling but this apparent wreck is actually meant to look as though it’s heading for a watery grave.
The boat, dubbed Love Love, is the brainchild of French designer Julien Berthier and it has certainly had unsuspecting passers-by around the world stopping for a second glance.
The bizarre ship, which looks as though it is constantly sinking, sticks out like a sore thumb wherever Julien takes it, and he has even had police and coastguards sailing to the rescue.
PERMANENTLY SINKING SHIP
Julien, who cut the boat in two before sealing it with fibreglass, has used the unusual mode of transport to travel around the globe
The 35-year-old from Paris said: ‘People never really know what to think when they see it for the first time.
‘I wanted to freeze the moment just a few seconds before the boat disappears, creating an endless vision of the dramatic moment.
‘It’s completely functional and perfectly safe, you can even steer it from the upside down seat I have installed.’
A crane lowers the strangely shaped vessel towards the water.
Julien fitted two electric motors underneath to propel the boat and it’s actually surprisingly stable. ‘In calm waters it’s really easy to manoeuvre although choppy waters can be a bit harder,’ he said.
‘When I was on Lake Constance in Germany the police, firemen and harbour masters were all warned in advance about the boat but someone who happened to walk past saw it and called for help.
‘Unfortunately the person who answered the call was unaware and more than 20 people were sent out to help rescue me.
‘I like taking the boat out because it’s important to me that the public gets to see my work out there in everyday life before it ends up in museums and galleries.’
Sore thumb: The boat stands out among other more traditional vessels.
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