Julien Berthier’s creation, the Love love

This is NOT the kind of snapshot you want to see on a website about boats and cruising, is it? Obviously the story that follows will be a tale of loss and survival, a celebration of man’s overcoming the elements, but also having to bid a sad farewell to his beloved craft.

Um, no.

This is the Love love, a perpetually sinking ship designed by French artist Julien Berthier. As he puts it, “Love-love is the permanent and mobile image of a wrecked ship that has become a functional and safe leisure object.”

Berthier cut a sailboat in half, and added a new keel and motor, to create this work of art. He has sailed it across the English Channel and around Europe, often receiving offers of assistance from Good Samaritans. We’re not sure how the Coast Guard would feel about encountering him in their waters, though…

To quote the artist: “People never really know what to think when they see it for the first time. I wanted to freeze the moment just a few seconds before the boat disappears, creating an endless vision of the dramatic moment.”

So the next time you see a sinking ship, make sure it’s truly sinking before dashing to its aid!