2007年VOA标准英语-Ultralight Boat Dances on Waves Like a Spider

By Paul Sisco
Washington, DC
24 January 2007
 
watch New Boat Design report

In Greek mythology¹, Proteus was a sea god capable of assuming different forms.  And now Proteus also is the name of a new type of ocean-going ship that can adapt its shape to the motion of the sea. 

A hush-hush project to develop a new type of ocean vessel² was introduced last week, when a prototype called “Proteus” made its way across San Francisco Bay. 

Ugo Canti is its inventor and captain. "Now, finally we are ready for this preview," he said.

Conti says he came up with the idea years ago for the new ship, officially called a WAM-V, for Wave Adaptive Modular Vehicle.

"It, it is a completely different motion from another boat. Completely different.  It has a much faster motion, because it is so light, and so it is really dancing a little bit on the waves."

The craft has two flexible pontoon-like hulls³ that conform to the surface of the water.  The boat's cabin, attached by hinges and joints⁴ to four metal legs, hangs above the water.  That, says Conti, makes for a smooth ride. "The motion is not this very slow type of motion that you get with big ship.  But it is very fast, almost like a car."

The inventor says Proteus is ultra-light, very maneuverable and has a cruising range of 8,000 kilometers.  There is no rudder.  Steering⁵ is managed by adjusting power to the two engines mounted in each pontoon. 

Conti envisions Proteus being used for scientific research.  Maria Brown of the U.S. government's National Marine⁶ Sanctuaries⁷ agrees.  "This is a completely new, different, unique vessel, and we are very intrigued⁸ about how we could possible use it," she said.

Conti has patented the design, and hopes to begin marketing⁹ his unusual vessel later this year.  No price has been set yet, but for those who want to make a splash aboard a wave-adaptive ship, Conti says... "If you are extremely rich and you want to make a scene coming into a harbor, this is it."

1 mythology   

n.神话，神话学，神话集

参考例句：

• In Greek mythology,Zeus was the ruler of Gods and men.在希腊神话中，宙斯是众神和人类的统治者。
• He is the hero of Greek mythology.他是希腊民间传说中的英雄。

2 vessel   

n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管

参考例句：

• The vessel is fully loaded with cargo for Shanghai.这艘船满载货物驶往上海。
• You should put the water into a vessel.你应该把水装入容器中。

3 hulls   

船体( hull的名词复数 )； 船身； 外壳； 豆荚

参考例句：

• Hulls may be removed by aspiration on screens. 脱下的种皮，可由筛子上的气吸装置吸除。
• When their object is attained they fall off like empty hulls from the kernel. 当他们的目的达到以后，他们便凋谢零落，就象脱却果实的空壳一样。

4 joints   

接头( joint的名词复数 )； 关节； 公共场所（尤指价格低廉的饮食和娱乐场所） （非正式）； 一块烤肉 （英式英语）

参考例句：

• Expansion joints of various kinds are fitted on gas mains. 各种各样的伸缩接头被安装在煤气的总管道上了。
• Expansion joints of various kinds are fitted on steam pipes. 各种各样的伸缩接头被安装在蒸气管道上了。

5 steering   

n.操舵装置

参考例句：

• He beat his hands on the steering wheel in frustration. 他沮丧地用手打了几下方向盘。
• Steering according to the wind, he also framed his words more amicably. 他真会看风使舵，口吻也马上变得温和了。

6 marine   

adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵

参考例句：

• Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

7 sanctuaries   

n.避难所( sanctuary的名词复数 )；庇护；圣所；庇护所

参考例句：

• The designation of special marine reserves and marine sanctuaries shall be subject to the State Council for approval. 海洋特别保护区、海上自然保护区的确定，须经国务院批准。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• After 1965 he acquiesced when they established sanctuaries on that soil. 1965年以后，他默认了他们在那块土地上建立庇护所。 来自辞典例句

8 intrigued   

adj.好奇的，被迷住了的v.搞阴谋诡计(intrigue的过去式)；激起…的兴趣或好奇心；“intrigue”的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• You've really intrigued me—tell me more! 你说的真有意思—再给我讲一些吧！
• He was intrigued by her story. 他被她的故事迷住了。

9 marketing   

n.行销，在市场的买卖，买东西

参考例句：

• They are developing marketing network.他们正在发展销售网络。
• He often goes marketing.他经常去市场做生意。