Dutchman launches life-sized replica of Noah's Ark


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DORDRECHT, Netherlands (AP) -- Just as the first storms of winter roll in, Dutchman Johan Huibers has finished his 20-year quest to build a full-scale, functioning model of Noah's Ark ? an undertaking of, well, biblical proportions.

Huibers, a Christian, used books 6-9 of Genesis as his inspiration, following the instructions God gives Noah down to the last cubit.

Translating to modern measurements, Huibers came up with a vessel that works out to a whopping 427 feet (130 meters) long, 95 feet (29 meters) across and 75 feet (23 meters) high. Perhaps not big enough to fit every species on Earth, two by two, as described in the Bible, but plenty of space, for instance, for a pair elephants to dance a tango.

Johan's Ark towers across the flat Dutch landscape and is easily visible from a nearby highway where it lies moored in the city of Dordrecht, just south of Rotterdam.

Gazing across the ark's main hold, a huge space of stalls supported by a forest of pine trees, visitors gaze upon an array of stuffed and plastic animals, such as buffalo, zebra, gorillas, lions, tigers, bears, you name it. Elsewhere on the ark is a petting zoo with actual live animals that are less dangerous or easier to care for ? such as ponies, dogs, sheep, and rabbits ? and an impressive aviary of exotic birds.

"This boat ? it's amazing," said Alfred Jongile, visiting from South Africa with his Dutch wife.

For Huibers, a builder by trade, it all began with a nightmare he had in 1992, when the low-lying Netherlands was flooded, as it has been many times throughout its history.

Johan's Ark also contains a restaurant on the topmost level and a movie theater capable of seating 50 people. Around the edges of each level of the craft are displays on ancient Middle Eastern history and dress, scenes from the life of Noah, and games for kids, including water pumps and a system of levers to lift bales of hay.

Down below there is a honeycomb system of hatches, each opening into an area where food could be sealed in for long-term storage.

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Needs to be 10x the size to be useful.

Oi Genius, learn to read. This is a life size replica of noahs arc not some functional boat for moden day survival in the event of impending doom. :pinch:

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Oi Genius, learn to read. This is a life size replica of noahs arc not some functional boat for moden day survival in the event of impending doom. :pinch:

I can't tell if your been sarcastic :laugh: anyway, i mean it confirms that it didn't exist in the first place because it would have to be much bigger to actually do what it was supposed to have done.

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Huibers, a Christian, used books 6-9 of Genesis as his inspiration, following the instructions God gives Noah down to the last cubit.
Johan's Ark also contains a restaurant on the topmost level and a movie theater capable of seating 50 people.

I had no idea Noah had it so good! lol

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Isn't it written in the Bible that God would never destroy the world by water again? Isn't it also written that the next destruction would be by a cleansing flame?

And I will establish my covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. - Genesis 9:11

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. - 2 Peter 3:10

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Isn't it written in the Bible that God would never destroy the world by water again? Isn't it also written that the next destruction would be by a cleansing flame?

And I will establish my covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. - Genesis 9:11

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. - 2 Peter 3:10

I'm pretty sure he's just building it for fun. :p

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I would say crazy is as crazy does but his business model seems on target. Good for him. (Y)

This wouldn't work so well in the US. Atheists would want all biblical reference removed...:rolleyes:

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