Connected Seas Coalition

Connected Seas Coalition
Connected Seas Coalition
Project
Type	Water transport using boats
World(s)	Akita; Corgi (in progress); Labrador (planned); Shepherd (in progress)
Leader(s)	L1GHTN1NG_STR1KE
Contributors	Montenator

Origination

The Connected Seas Coalition (CSC) was the brainchild of L1GHTN1NG_STR1KE and Pigeon_Confirmed, the Knights of Calafort Úr during Survival 4. Inspired by the Survival Railway Network, the knights aimed to reintroduce ocean travel as a viable transport option for players. The basic premise of the network is to provide infrastructure that facilitates water travel using boats. Ports link location by water, with lodestones and compasses used to navigate. Planned canals can be used for areas not easily traversed by natural water features.

CSC Spawn Port on the Akita world

History

Survival 4

The conceptualisation of the CSC was fleshed out during 2020, in the Survival 4 period, although no known construction was completed. Several projects began basic construction such as the Great Turnabout Canal, and several isolated ports were constructed such as the one at M-Bay built by Montenator and the port at Oak Town Station built by Skelleton123. With no large central ports constructed at Spawn, however, a network was never established on either Husky or Beagle. Towards the end of Survival 4, a consultation via a community survey was carried out prior in order to ascertain a more certain direction for the upcoming Survival 5 world. This allowed the community to give feedback on various plans for the CSC and how it should operate.

Survival 5

Progress would be very slow for the CSC during the first few months of Survival 5. The first major activity would be the construction of an extension to Akita South Station which featured a port. This extension, built by Montenator, featured an experimental feature for the network, featuring the use of lodestone compasses to point players in the right direction when in open ocean. This negated the need for any additional infrastructure, such as buoys, to be built alongside the ports themselves, at least within the Spawn Sea, allowing for a quicker expansion of the network on Akita. The lodestone system would prove to be less effective when navigating inland bodies of water, where there were more obstructions, therefore clearer signage and canals would need to be used alongside the lodestones in order for players to effectively navigate the lakes and rivers of the continents.

By August 2022, it became clear that for the CSC to be successful it would need a presence at each of the worlds spawn areas, a central location where the network could sprawl out of. Montenator would begin a design for a port at Akita Spawn in the hope of establishing a few boat connections between it and the port at South Station. After coming up with a design, Montenator consulted L1GHTN1NG_STR1KE and the pair worked together to come up with necessary things the port would need to contain, such as a donations and information area for the CSC, beds and other amenities, as well as the main port area. The port was completed in August 2022, by L1GHTN1NG_STR1KE and Montenator, and the first ceremonial voyage was between it and the port of South Station.

Since then several more ports have been built on Akita, such as the one at North Station by darparniox, and several more in the south such as Lushbank Port and Flowercliffe Port, both builds by Montenator. L1GHTN1NG_STRIKE would concentrate his efforts into establishing a CSC presence on Corgi, starting with the construction of Westfire Port to serve as the gateway to the west of Corgi.

In December 2022, Montenator would officially become the first person to hold the role of Master Navigator, becoming the Master Navigator for Akita. The role designates its holder as the go to person for CSC related activities in that specific world, being responsible for the construction of new ports, and aiding other players wanting to build ports of their own. The eventual goal is to have a player hold the role for each world, with L1GHTN1NG_STR1KE serving as the overall leader of the project.

Design Guidelines


Ports Ports are the building blocks that make up the network as a whole. They are generally built at prominent public locations, such as towns, stations and personal bases but can also be built in scenic areas or as standalone points of interest. Ports serve as an easy way for players to access basic utilities such as beds and ender chests, while also serving as gateways to other parts of the network. Ports are encouraged to be built in any style the player wishes, so long as they tick all the basic functional requirements of a CSC Port. Required Features Ports should have multiple well stocked boat dispensers for travelers to easily embark towards other destinations. If using the lodestone compass system, ports should possess well stocked lodestone compass chests, marked with the intended destination. Chests should be provided for players to put away both boats and lodestone compasses, if the port is using that system. Ports should include some basic utilities for players to use when they are there. These include beds, ender chests, crafting tables and other functional items. The port at Lushbank, featuring prominent lodestone compass dispensers and a navigable floorplan. Ports should be easily navigable, will clear signage and a user friendly layout. To identify a the port is part of the CSC, it should also possess CSC banners in the traditional blue and lime colour palette. Ports should possess maps of the surrounding area, and if they serve specific towns and bases, they should be easily accessible from the port. If using lodestone compasses, ports should be equipped with a lodestone in a prominent and visible location. This allows for lodestone compasses to be coupled quickly and easily. Ports should be spawn proofed as best as possible and should be claimed with /containertrust set to public. Optional Features The following features aren't a requirement for CSC Ports, but will help take your port the next nautical mile! Ports can contain nether portals to allow access to the NTN. Where possible, ports could also be connected to other overworld transport networks, such as the SRN, RHN and PNG. The Spawn Port on Akita features plenty of facilities for travelers and new players, such as the sleeping area in the lower level. An elevated portion of the port, such as a tower, can be a useful take off point for elytra users. A log book where players can write their name, the date they visited and a small comment can also be a nice touch to any port, and allows visitors to interact with the area more. Nearby beacons, potentially built into a lighthouse are convenient to supply players with useful effects, such as speed or regeneration, while in the area. Decorating the surrounding body of water with small sailing vessels, could also add an extra touch to the ambience of the port.
Canals Canals are an important part of CSC infrastructure. They can be a useful way to connect two bodies of water together, allowing easy passage of boats or can also be used to navigate the interiors of continents more effectively, preventing users getting lost in small winding rivers and lakes. You are also encouraged to get creative with canal designs. You can build them atop viaducts to navigate over large valleys, or create decorated canal tunnels to navigate tricky terrain. You can also create ladders out of canals using bubble columns in order to navigate rough terrain. Several things are worth considering when building canals: Are the canals entrances and exits easily accessible to players? Canals should ideally be a minimum of 3-5 blocks wide and about three blocks deep. This should allow two Minecraft boats to pass each other comfortabley while inside the canal. Canals should also possess clear signage as to where they are leading, so players are able to navigate their surrounds more effectively.
Buoys Buoys are a useful accompaniment to lodestone compasses when there are several obstructions in between the player and the destination. Buoys act as waypoints on a journey. A standardised buoy design has not yet been established by the CSC. This section will be updated when their is official requirements.
Glaciducts When terrain is too extreme for standard canals, glaciducts made be built for boat ways to pass over the top of large valleys or steep terrain. No regulations have been established for glaciduct designs. This section will be updated when there is.