The FLIP research vessel (Floating Instrument Platform) is the only ship in the world having the ability to flip from a horizontal position to a vertical position while at sea.
The FLIP ship is designed to study wave height, acoustic signals, water temperature and density, and for the collection of meteorological data.
FLIP is 108 meters long and weighs 700 long tons. According to Alan Bellows , "when in horizontal traveling mode, the long, hollow ballast area trails behind. When it reaches the desired location, the "tail" is flooded until the nose sticks straight up into the air, taking about entry-eight minutes to reach vertical position".







Source : sio.ucsd.edu