A multi-pronged approach will secure ArkHAUS during storms of any grade.
This post was originally written for investors of the ArkHAUS crowdfunding campaign. To learn more, visit the campaign page here.
The Arkup 40 vessels that make up the ArkHAUS club host a tremendous amount of structural features, truly making this a next-generation membership club. We detailed many of those features last week. However, as it pertains to Miami, a major city that experiences occasional hurricanes, a few of these features become even more critical.
It’s important to note that Arkup, the designer of the vessels, is headquartered in Miami. As such, these vessels have been designed with Miami’s unique weather being top of mind. Any imposing weather can be managed with an escalating level of response. The features that present that response are Elevation Spuds, Folding Decks, and Dry Docks.
[Low-Grade Storm] Hovering Over Turbulent Waters
While ArkHAUS is a ‘floating’ private members club, it actually doesn’t float at all. Each vessel is equipped with 4 spuds on its corners. Those spuds are effectively big pillars that go down and anchor into the seabed. As they continue to push down the spuds lift the vessels an additional 3–4 feet, resulting in the entire club hovering water.
On a normal or windy day, this provides a luxury club experience because the club does not rock with the waves. But if a low-grade storm comes into town, even the higher waves don’t affect the structure of the club — they simply roll right below the entire structure.
[Mid-Grade Storm] Transform to Protect Mode
Each of the vessels have solid decks that wrap around all 4 sides. It’s actually these decks that connect to each other at their corners to form the club…not the vessels themselves.
During a mid-grade storm, ArkHAUS will be closed for member safety. The glass banisters will be removed and the wrap-around decks will fold upwards to create a protective cage around the four vessels.
This impermeable layer of protection prevents any debris or other items from damaging the structures.
[High-Grade Storm] Dock and Cover
In the highest grade storms, there are dangers far beyond wind, water, and light debris. Other boats and watercraft may become displaced and move around freely on waters, trees snap and fly anywhere, and much more. The only solution is to ‘dry-dock’. Days before the storm, the club will be disconnected, spuds will be raised, and the vessels will motor over to a dry-dock which provides complete protection from the outside elements.
Once the vessels arrive to the dry-dock, the vessels are lifted out of water with a small crane, placed on land, and tethered down. Some dry-docks are even covered for a higher level of protection.
ArkHAUS will enter into a dry dock agreement with a local Miami provider before the vessels are even received. This will ensure that when the storm comes, a position is already secured for our four vessels.
The Other “I” of the Storm
Should any damage result to the club’s vessels or the business itself, a variety of insurance protections will be in place to guarantee our continuity and success.
- Fleet Vessel Policy — protects the vessels against damage
- Business Interruption Insurance — should ArkHAUS be forced to close for any period of time as a result of weather and or other damage, this insurance compensates the club for lost revenue
While additional policies will protect the day-to-day operations, these are the two primary policies that pertain to weather risks.
The Arkup and ArkHAUS teams, along with engineers will continue to analzye which grade of storms will require which measures. Safety and business continuity will always be a priority over short-term revenue.
