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Prepared: Farmer Liu Qiyuan looks out from inside one of seven survival pods that he has also dubbed Noah's Arc
Farmer Liu Qiyuan has built seven pods consisting of a fibreglass shell around a steel frame
  • He hopes they will be adopted by government departments and international organisations for use in the event of tsunamis and earthquake
  • The airtight spheres contain oxygen tanks and seatbelts with space for around 14 people, and remain upright when in water
    • With just ten days to go before the Mayan apocalypse supposedly spells the end of the world, many believers may be looking for ways to dodge doomsday.

    But one farmer in China believes he is ready for any eventuality after building seven emergency survival pods.

    Liu Qiyuan created the fibreglass shells - dubbed Noah's Ark - after being inspired by the apocalyptic Hollywood movie 2012.

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    Prepared: Farmer Liu Qiyuan looks out from inside one of seven survival pods that he has also dubbed Noah's Arc
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    Heavy work: Workers reposition one of seven survival pods. His creations consist of a fibreglass shell around a steel frame
    Building them around a steel frame in a yard at his home in the village of Qiantun, Hebei province, south of Beijing, he says the pods can offer life-saving shelter during natural disasters such as tsunamis and hurricanes.

    The pods are able to float on water and some of have their own propulsion.

    The airtight spheres with varying interiors contain oxygen tanks and seatbelts with space for around 14 people, and are designed to remain upright when in water.
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    Inspiration: Liu Qiyuan was inspired by the apocalyptic Hollywood movie '2012' and the 2004 Asian tsunami
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    Greater good: Farmer Liu Qiyuan secures a hatch He hopes that his creations will be adopted by government departments and international organisations for use in the event of tsunamis and earthquakes
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    Design: The pods are able to float on water. The airtight spheres with varying interiors contain oxygen tanks and seatbelts with space for around 14 people, and are designed to remain upright when in water
    He hopes that his creations will be adopted by government departments and international organisations for use in the event of tsunamis and earthquakes.

    They are heavy and four men required to help pulley them when he needs to move them across the yard.

    Earlier this year Chinese businessman Yang Zongfu unveiled his orange £150,000 emergency disaster survival pod.

    According to Yang, 'the reserve and life-sustaining system' inside the yellow sphere 'could ensure a family of three live safely inside for 10 months'.