The Vanguard will have 50% greater lifting capacity and 70% greater deck area than the largest heavy lift ship now in service, the Blue Marlin, also owned by Dockwise, which can lift 73, 000 tonnes.

FORBES: Will the Vanguard Semi-Submersible Ultra Heavy Lift Ship Keep Dockwise Afloat?

The secretary touts the advantages of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) as a versatile ship that go places too shallow for the Navy's blue-water ships.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Cruising for a bruising?

Research director Jaime Jahncke said the number of blue and others whales is four to five times greater than in 2004, increasing the likelihood of ship strikes.

MSN: Feds to reroute SF Bay ships to protect whales

Played by Matt Smith, he journeys through "Time And Relative Dimension In Space" in his aptly-named ship, the TARDIS -- which looks like a blue British police call box on the outside, and is as iconographic a vehicle as the U.S.S. Enterprise, Millennium Falcon or DeLorean.

CNN: Actress Jenna-Louise Coleman talks 'Doctor Who'