Australian mining magnate Professor Clive Palmer announced in April that he was going to build a replica Titanic – now the billionaire has released plans and drawings for the project.
A state-owned Chinese company will build the ship for Mr Palmer’s company Blue Star Line - and the vessel will make its maiden voyage from England to New York in 2016, retracing the route of the original ship.
“These plans underline the commitment and progression Blue Star Line has for the Titanic II project,” Professor Palmer said.
He said the plans – from Finnish-based design and engineering company Deltamarin - have managed to keep the public rooms, passenger stairs, cabins and other features in similar locations as in the original ship.
“The Preliminary General Arrangement plans depict the original separation between first, second and third class, which will be kept in the ship’s final design,” Professor Palmer said.
More than 1,500 people lost their lives after the Titanic struck an iceberg and sank
“To ensure Titanic II is compliant with all current safety and construction regulations, a new ‘Safety Deck’ has been inserted between D and C decks and will feature proper lifeboats, safety chutes or slides as well as new common public rooms.
“New escape stairs, service elevators, air conditioning room and similar functions have also been added and the inclusions of main fire zones have been designed so that they have minimum disturbance on public rooms.
Hull of a scheme: Mr Palmer revealed the Titanic II plans on Monday
“G deck has also been re-designed to now feature crew accommodation, laundry, stores and machinery.”
The final design is subject to approval of the board of Blue Star Lines.
He added: “Blue Star Line’s website continues to receive an overwhelming response from people expressing an interest in receiving regular updates from us or requesting information on how to secure bookings for Titanic II’s maiden voyage.”