Flipping sea exploration on its head: Extraordinary 355ft ship that can rotate 90 degrees in the water to transform into research unit Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3021240/Flipping-sea-exploration-head-Extraordinary-355ft-ship-rotate-90-degrees-water-transform-research-unit.html#ixzz3W6S7g4Wl Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

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While floating on the surface the RV FLIP looks as if the back of the vessel has suffered a catastrophic accident leaving only a spine

As the vessel sinks below the surface, it looks like it is about to break up and plunge to the bottom of the ocean

The vessel uses a system of ballast tanks which fill with water to shift the centre of gravity in the vessel moving it to 90 degrees 

After 20 minutes, the RV FLIP is safely positioned at 90 degrees allowing the researchers to begin their various experiments