In 2004, Huibers completed his first ark, which was about half the size of Noah’s described ark in the Bible. He chartered the craft through Holland’s canals, charging $7 a person, which has funded his most recent project.
The new ark, which began construction in 2008 and has cost him just over $1 million, is every bit as large as Noah’s and is even being crafted using his measurement of cubits (the length from one’s elbow to fingertips). The ark weighs just under 3,000 tons, the official length of the vessel is 450 feet and it is being designed to carry 1,500 passengers, including two live chickens and a few pair of fiberglass animals.
Made out of pine, as God had requested a resinous wood, the ark would not have been architecturally sound without a steel hull. Amongst architects and boatbuilders, there is some skepticism as to how Noah’s Ark may have been so long, as historically, no wooden ship has ever been successfully built over 350 feet as the length does not allow for enough support to keep the hull watertight. So Huibers built her with a steel keel.
According to Mr. Huibers, the ark is about ready to set sail, and he is in negotiation with London about bringing the ark down the Thames for the 2012 Summer Olympics.
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