This week on the Uptime Wind Energy podcast, the crew covers everything from high-tech wind turbine inspection worms to turbine toilets. Allen, Rosemary, Joel, and Phil dive into the challenges of wind turbine manufacturing and recycling, discussing how Europe and China compete in the global wind market. The team explores how turbines operate far offshore, the need for onboard amenities, and the logistics of servicing turbines miles out to sea. Whether it's innovative inspection tools, blades recycling advances, offshore turbine operation, or manufacturing competitiveness, this week's Uptime podcast tackles the nitty-gritty of wind farm operation and equipment. Grab your coffee and get ready for an energetic dialogue on all aspects of wind energy.



Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by Weather Guard Lightning Tech. Learn more about Weather Guard's StrikeTape Wind Turbine LPS retrofit. Follow the show on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Linkedin and visit Weather Guard on the web. And subscribe to Rosemary Barnes' YouTube channel here. Have a question we can answer on the show? Email us!



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Uptime 187



Allen Hall: Rosemary, a couple of Australians have decided to book continuous cruises. And they have actually done 51 cruises back to back starting about a little over a year ago now, and they spent 450 days living on a princess cruise or a princess ship so far. And they claim that it's cheaper than living in Australia.



So they're retired. They don't have any place to be, but I guess living in Australia is pretty expensive and it's actually cheaper. To get a cabin on a cruise ship where they just make all the food and you can look at the beautiful ocean and live on a cruise ship. So Rosemary, there's hope in the home search in Australia, you just get a cruise. 



Rosemary Barnes: I can't think of anything worse than living on a cruise ship. Yeah, I like my personal space. I get seasick. I like to, yeah, be outside and experiencing nature and in charge of my own life. But I think that I, it's not that they said it's cheaper than living in Australia.



They said it's cheaper than living in a retirement home. In Australia. Yeah, but a retirement home has nurses and stuff. They've obviously got good health if they are not concerned about only having access to the, little dinky sick room on a cruise ship. It's catchy, and if they love cruising and, they've got the money, then...



Go for it, but yeah, no, I can confirm that it's not cheaper to go on a cruise than to just, pay rent and buy groceries in Australia. 



Allen Hall: I don't know, the buffets are pretty well stocked on those cruise ships. You'll be well fed. The dessert bar, the chocolate fountain, come on Rosemary, they have a pool, Shuffleboard.



Rosemary Barnes: Honestly, like I wouldn't do a cruise for more than a weekend and I would only do that if I had a good reason to suffer through it. A cruise is not my idea of a good time. I'm not a cruising personality. 



Allen Hall: Phil you've been on a cruise, come on. 



Philip Totaro: No, and I never will. 



Allen Hall: Joel, you been on a cruise?



Joel Saxum: I have a 17 foot boat that I go fishing on, if you count that as cruising. 



Allen Hall: Wow, we got a lot of land lovers here. 



Rosemary Barnes: It's one of the main reasons why I decided not to pursue being an astronaut because I just don't want to be trapped in, inside for, weeks on end. That sounds horrible to me.



Allen Hall: Wait a minute. Wait. When did this happen? When were you going to be an astronaut? 



Rosemary Barnes: When I was a teenager, I wanted to be an astronaut and, I went as far as studying aerospace engineering. 



Joel Saxum: Does Australia have a space program? 



Rosemary Barnes: No,