Mega Machines: Sea Giants

The USNS Comfort is the world's biggest hospital ship at 70,000 tons and a vital tool in New York City's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. This hi-tech humanitarian hulk helps world-class doctors and nurses bring cutting-edge medicine, hope, and healing to hot spots worldwide

A fleet of ice-fighting mega machines has transformed Iceberg Alley into the world's largest frozen battlefield, where cutting-edge engineering helps neutralize swarms of deadly icebergs that threaten valuable shipping lanes and offshore oil exploration. These machines include C-130 Hercules aircraft of the International Ice Patrol, RADAR, satellites, ships like the USCGC Juniper, drones and AUVs, and test facilities for ship design.   

The Netherlands is home to the most advanced water defense system on the planet, protecting millions with hi-tech, fortress-like barriers; engineers show how this sophisticated water control network works as it faces its greatest challenge yet.
 

A fleet of cutting-edge sea machines is using the power of the oceans to revolutionize the energy industry, and the innovative engineering behind these hi-tech behemoths could change the world. Located in Scotland's Orkney Islands, the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) tests marine renewable energy technology: tidal turbines (Scotrenewables SR-2000, Orbital 02, and Magallanes Renovables ATIR) and wave energy converters (Wello's Penguin).
 

The U.S. Navy's newest and most cutting-edge combat ships use state-of-the-art technology and innovative propulsion systems to hit high speeds on some of the most perilous waters in the world, protecting coastlines and vital offshore infrastructure. Modern naval warfare has moved from the open ocean to the shallows, and the U.S. Navy's Riverines squad has a new fleet of agile, heavily-armed jet boats that can go where the big battleships can't go. The naval craft reviewed are the Patrol Craft Fast (PCF or Swift Boat), the Patrol Boat Riverine (PBR), the Mark VI patrol boat, the Freedom-class and Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), the Landing Craft Air-cushion (LCAC), and the Ghost.

The newest superyachts come equipped with the most cutting-edge engineering technology on the planet, and special behind-the-scenes access aboard these futuristic vessels reveals their hidden secrets and special features.
 

A brand-new offshore powerboat, the SV Offshore Catamaran, has been engineered to take on the fastest ones on the planet, and after years of research and design, an expert team puts their cutting-edge boat to the test in the most dangerous race on water, the Race World Offshore Key West Championships in Florida.

Cutting-edge engineering is making it possible to live on the water in ways like never before, and using innovative construction methods, these hi-tech structures are remaking cities and pushing the future of home building to new frontiers.
 

The world's busiest ports are getting more perilous as container ships grow larger. Special access into the control center of the cutting-edge superport at Halifax, Nova Scotia, in Canada reveals the advanced technology and expert engineering required to manage today's water highways.
 

A brand-new engineering marvel commands the Rio de la Plata between Buenos Aries, Argentina and Montevideo, Uruguay as the world's fastest passenger ferry, a hi-tech super ship equipped with cutting-edge technology; experts reveal the innovative HSC Francisco's hidden secrets.

The world's most powerful and cutting-edge ships command the seas thanks to hi-tech engine design; special behind-the-scenes access reveals the innovative engineering and design behind these technological marvels.
 

New submarine technology has pushed the boundaries of ocean exploration, and behind-the-scenes access reveals the cutting-edge technology and design that help world-class scientists explore our planet's final frontier.
 

The U.S. Coast Guard's fleet features some of the most advanced ships on the high seas, and special access to these state-of-the-art vessels reveals how cutting-edge engineering and the latest tech makes their critical work possible. Featured are the Legend-class cutters USCGC Kimball and USCGC Midgett.