OFEG Ships

Operator: IFREMER / French Navy
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The hydrographic and oceanographic requirements of the French Navy and the scientific community involve similar work, which encourages the ministries of defence and of research to build a partnership for their maritime resources. To this end, two ships have been jointly built by the Ministry of Defence and Ifremer.

A shared-use civilian ship, fitted by Genavir, under the French flag. She bears the name Pourquoi pas? as a tribute to captain Charcot. At roughly one hundred metres, the ship is co-financed by Ifremer (55%) and the French navy (45%), Ifremer having 180 days' use per year and the navy 150. She is a multi-purpose ship, equipped for working whilst moving and optimised for on-site work.

The Pourquoi pas? can therefore conduct hydrographic (deep or costal waters), geoscientific and physical/chemical/biological oceanographic missions, and deploy the institute's scienfitic equipment. During a mission, she is able of deploying two types of heavy equipment, such as the Nautile, Victor 6000 or a towed device.

Operator: IFREMER
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Commissioned in October 1990 (first scientific cruise in March 1991), the multi-purpose research vessel L'Atalante is dedicated for research in marine geosciences, physical oceanography and marine biology.

L'Atalante can operate a manned submersible such as Nautile (-6000m) and the remote operated vehicle Victor 6000.

The vessel is fully computerized, with automated operations: energy control, alarm station, winch and gantry control, as well as scientific computer facilities: navigation station, data acquisition and processing stations in real time and for post-processing. All digital data on TV networks are available everywhere on board.

The postprocessing systems enable scientists to undertake work on high tech cartographic products during the cruise. They can also temporarily integrate applications used in laboratories on land.

Operator: IFREMER
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This fisheries research vessel was commissioned in 1996.

The primarily fisheries-based missions are: population ecology, assessment of fished species, study of resource distribution over time and space and fishery and product processing techniques.

The ship carries out other types of missions: physical oceanography and the occasional deployment of the ROV Victor 6000.

The Thalassa was built at the 'Manche Industrie Marine' shipyards (Dieppe) - LEROUX ET LOTZ NAVAL.

Operator: IFREMER

The Marion Dufresne is a multi-function vessel. She was launched in 1995, and is chartered by the TAAF and Ifremer (for 217 days per year).

She has two main missions:

• Oceanographic research cruises: Global Class Research Ship;
• Logistical support for the French subantarctic islands: Crozet, Kerguelen, Amsterdam/Saint-Paul, under the TAAF’s responsibility.

Missions As a scientific research vessel the Marion Dufresne is the largest ship of the French Fleet, thanks to its dual function as a logistics and supply ship which offers her additional capabilities. She is endowed with exceptional sea-keeping ability which enables her to operate in any kind of weather. The accommodation spaces, capacity for cargo transport and handling and endurance allow long ocean-going campaigns. The Marion Dufresne is equipped with 650 m² of laboratories, a winching system handling heavy equipments and materials, a multibeam echosounder and a heavy-duty Calypso Giant coring system.

Equipped with full modern systems, this research vessel is operational in all aspects of oceanography:

• marine geosciences,
• biological oceanography,
• physics and chemistry of the oceans…

Her special shape and performance capabilities for sedimentary coring and palaeoclimatology are internationally known. The ship’s Giant CALYPSO corer makes her one of the only ships able to collect sediment cores longer than 60 m.

Operator: University of Hamburg Leitstelle Meteor
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The Maria S. Merian is the youngest member of the German research fleet. When launched in 2006, she was the world's most modern multi-disciplinary research vessel. The ship is based in Rostock-Warnemuende but is usually found in the North Atlantic and the adjacent seas. The MARIA S. MERIAN is also fit for research expeditions to the near-polar regions - it can break through an ice shield of up to 60 cm width and move among drifting ice floes.

To be easily manoeuvrable, the MERIAN was built with a special propulsion system. Mounted below the hull are two propellers which can turn a full 360°. They allow the ship to precisely maintain a fixed position at sea. That is, for example, important for the deployment of remotely operated submersibles or the seafloor drilling device MeBo. Two stabilizing systems guarantee a smooth passage, so that the 23 scientists don't have to worry about rough seas when doing lab work.

Besides technology, environment played a key role in designing the MERIAN. The ship was awarded the label 'Blue Angel' for operating environmentally friendly. In sensitive regions, for example, the MERIAN can go for 48 hours without discharging any waste water. Sewage is collected in special tanks on board. The Maria S. Merian was the first newly-built German research vessel after a 15-year break. It replaces the A. V. HUMBOLDT, which was decommissioned due to her age.

The Maria S. Merian at a glance:

• Year of Construction: 2006
• Owner: Federal state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
• Operator:Co-ordinating office FS Maria S. Merian
• Port of Registry: Rostock
• Length: 94.8 m
• Beam: 19.2 m
• Draught:max 6.5 m
• Speed: max 15 knots
• Nautical Crew: 21 Persons
• Scientists: 23 Persons

Operator: University of Hamburg Leitstelle Meteor
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The research vessel Meteor is mainly used for marine basic research. During expeditions, scientists from different fields of research work closely together. An equally important aspect of life aboard the ship is the cooperation with international research groups. On the first 50 expeditions alone, scientists from 68 nations worked on the Meteor. Most voyages were to the Atlantic Ocean, but destinations also encompassed the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the Indian Ocean.

The Meteor can operate 50 days at sea without having to call at a port. Plenty of time for the 28 scientists aboard to use the 20 well - equipped laboratories. A spacious deck and 17 winches and cranes allow for the ship to be adapted to the researchers' individual scientific needs. They can, for example, put up additional lab containers and employ manned or unmanned submersibles.

The Meteor is the third German research vessel of this name - the first Meteor went on a legendary expedition to the Atlantic Ocean in 1925 - 27. The second METEOR was launched in 1965 and was used in co-operation with the German Hydrographical Institute in Hamburg. Owner of the third Meteor is the Federal Republic of Germany, represented by the Ministry for Education and Research.

Operating costs are covered jointly by the German Research Foundation (70%) and the Ministry of Research (30%). Ship operations are managed by the METEOR co-ordinating office at the University of Hamburg.

The Meteor at a glance:

• Year of Construction: 1986
• Owner: Federal Republic of Germany, represented by the Ministry of Research
• Operator: Co-ordinating office FS METEOR at the University of Hamburg
• Port of Registry: Hamburg
• Length: 97.5 m
• Beam: max. 16.5 m
• Draught: max. 5.61 m
• Speed: 11.5 knots
• Nautical Crew: 33 Persons
• Scientists: 28 Persons

Operator: IFM-GEOMAR
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The Alkor is a midsize, multi-disciplinary research vessel deployed in German and European marine research. It usually cruises the Baltic Sea, Kattegatt and Skagerrak as well as the North Sea. At a length of 55 metres, the vessel hosts four laboratories, in which air, water and sediment samples can be analysed. The ALKOR is also fitted for the deployment of JAGO, Germany's only manned submersible, which might, for example, be used to study cold water corals in the Skagerrak.

The ALKOR, named after a star in the Ursa Major constellation, was built in 1990 to replace a research cutter of the same name. After 24 years at sea, that cutter was decommissioned as it no longer met technical and environmental standards. The new Alkor is used for expeditions with German and European research groups. Furthermore, university students receive practical training on the Alkor which is operated by the IFM-GEOMAR in Kiel.

The Alkor at a glance:

• Year of Construction: 1990
• Owner: Federal State of Schleswig-Holstein
• Operator: IFM-GEOMAR
• Port of Registry: Kiel
• Length: 55.2 m
• Beam: 12.5 m
• Draught: 4.16 m
• Speed: 12.5 knots
• Nautical Crew: 11 Persons
• Scientists: 12 Persons

Operator: Alfred Wegener Institute
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The research vessel Heincke was designed for longer research cruises. During her expeditions to the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, she can stay at sea up to 30 days without having to call at a port. Just like her sister ship Alkor, the HEINCKE hosts four laboratories, all of which are equipped with sea-water supplies. Research on the Heincke focuses mainly on marine biology and oceanography.

Operator of the Heincke is the Alfred-Wegener-Institute for Polar and Marine Research. The ship was named after Friedrich Heincke, who in 1892 became the first director of the "Royal Biological Institute Helgoland", an institution which today belongs to the Alfred-Wegener-Institute.

The ship replaced the research vessel Friedrich Heincke, which was decommissioned in 1990. The new Heincke currently undergoes reconstruction: The ship technology was modernized recently; the scientific equipment will be updated in 2009.

The Heincke at a glance:

• Year of Construction: 1976
• Owner: Ministry of Education and Research
• Operator: Alfred-Wegener-Institute
• Port of Registry: Helgoland
• Length: 54.2 m
• Beam: 12.5 m
• Draught: max. 4.16 m
• Speed: 12.5 knots
• Nautical Crew: 11 Persons
• Scientists: 12 Persons

Operator: IFM-GEOMAR
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The Poseidon was built in 1976 and belongs to the pool of midsize German research vessels. The ship, which was named after the ancient Greek god of the seas, is deployed mainly in the Northern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The Poseidon is easy to navigate and retains a stable position even in heavy seas. In the early 80ies, the Kiel-based vessel was upgraded for expeditions to explore the deep sea.

From 1902 to 1945, a German research steamer called Poseidon existed, which was used mainly for fishing research. On the second Poseidon, however, the focus of research is rather on oceanography, marine biology and geology. For these research activities, the POSEIDON is equipped with five laboratories, winches, cranes and echo sounders. Some pieces of mobile equipment, such as a multibeam echo sounder and a water sampling rosette, can also be used with other vessels. Furthermore, the Poseidon is well-suited for the deployment of the submersible JAGO.

The Poseidon at a glance:

• Year of Construction: 1976
• Owner: Federal state of Schleswig-Holstein
• Operator: IFM-GEOMAR
• Port of Registry: Kiel
• Length: 60.8 m
• Beam: 11.4 m
• Draught: max. 4.4 m
• Speed: max. 12.5 knots
• Nautical Crew: 16 Persons
• Scientists: 11 Persons

The Platform Description can be found here.

Operator:
Further Information

The new Research Vessel SONNE is designed to meet all multidisciplinary need for the next 30 years. The ship is the second vessel research fleet to bear the name SONNE and continues the German tradition of research in the Indic and Pacific Ocean. The RV SONNE will be delivered to the scientific community on 17th of November 2014. It was built by Meyer Werft in Papenburg.

RV SONNE is equipped with sub-bottom profiling and multi-beam facilities for mapping the sea bed and shallow sediments. Her dynamic positioning enables her to operate various remotely operated systems, diving boats and drilling devices. An A-frame, cranes and over side gantries will allow the deployment of various scientific equipment. The commissioning of RV SONNE a new technical era will start for the benefit of the German and international scientific community.

The Sonne at a glance:

• Year of Construction: 2014
• Owner: Federal Republic of Germany, represented by the Ministry of Research
• Operator: Project Management Jülich
• Port of Registry: Wilhelmshaven
• Length: 116m
• Beam: 20,60m
• Draught: max. 6.40 m
• Speed: max. 15 knots
• Nautical Crew: 35 Persons
• Scientists: 40 Persons

Operator: Alfred Wegener Institute
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The Polarstern is one of the world's most powerful research icebreakers. Since her maiden voyage in 1982, she has been on numerous expeditions to the polar seas. Each year, she spends approximately 320 days at sea.

As a double-hulled icebreaker, the Polarstern can handle temperatures as low as - 50 degrees Celsius. Due to her 20,000 PS engines, the ship is able to pass through a 1.5 m ice sheet at a speed of 5 knots - thicker ice must be broken by ramming.

Usually, the Polarstern cruises the Antarctic Ocean during the Southern summer, lasting from November to March, and spends the Northern summer in Arctic waters.

Besides the storage space needed for long expeditions, the ship hosts nine laboratories for biological, chemical, geological, geophysical, glaciological, oceanographic and meteorological research, as well as cooling chambers and aquariums. A 15 tonne crane can hoist research equipment into the water or onto the ice.

The ship is equipped for biological, geological, geophysical, glaciological, chemical, oceanographic and meteorological research, and contains nine research laboratories. Additional laboratory containers may be stowed on and below deck. Refrigerated rooms and aquaria permit the transport of samples and living marine fauna.

Research equipment and measuring instruments are positioned with the help of cranes and winches, sometimes at extreme depths. Special sounding devices with depth ranges up to 10,000 metres and which can penetrate up to 150 metres into the sea floor are available for scientific investigations. The computer system on board continuously captures and stores meteorological, oceanographic and other data as required.

But research trips are just one of the Polarstern's tasks. Another one is to supply the permanently manned German research stations in the Antarctic. Furthermore, the ship is a swimming weather station: Each day at sea, registering balloons are released to measure air pressure, temperature and wind speed. Meteorologists use the data to develop weather forecast models.

Operator: NIOZ
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The RV Pelagia 66 m, built 1991 is specially designed as a multi-purpose research vessel.

It has very favourable nautical properties, and is known for its silent and smooth behaviour.

• she has a smooth hull and a special designed four-blade propeller;
• diesel electric propulsion makes every revolution of the propeller possible from zero to full power;
• diesel generator foundations and hydraulic foundations are mounted on noise isolation rafts;
• the hydraulic pipe system is equipped with special silencers;
• the pipe system is mounted on rubber noise isolation clamps;
• excellent manoeuvrability is obtained by using the omni-directional bow thruster of 400 kW in combination with the installed flap rudder.

RV Pelagia has many years experience in seismic surveys, deep tow bathymetry and sonar trials, CTD and coring activities (box, multi, piston, gravity, vibro, CPT), biological sampling methods as well as in deployment and recoverage of deep-sea moorings and bottom landers.

Operator: IMR
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G.O. Sars represents a new generation of marine research vessels. With its vibration- and noise-damped diesel generators and its propellers driven by direct current motors, 'G.O. Sars' is an extremely quiet vessel under way. It emits 99 percent less noise under water than conventional research vessels.

G.O. Sars' is one of the most advanced research vessels in the world and was handed over in May 2003. The vessel replaces the old 'G.O. Sars' and is used by the Institute of Marine Research and the University of Bergen.

The 'G.O. Sars' is equipped with state-of-the-art technology in order to carry out a wide variety of research work. Examples of the kind of research work the vessel is capable of carrying out include: pelagic and bottom trawling, plankton sampling, CTD/rosette operations, towed body operations, hydrographic operations, water sampling, miscellaneous kinds of environmental sampling, grabbing and coring, hydro-acoustic research work and seismic operations.

RV G.O. Sars at a Glance:

• Shipyard: Flekkefjord Slipp & Maskinfabrikk
• Built: 2003
• Length: 77.5 m
• Beam: 16.4 m
• GRT: 4 067
• Machinery: Diesel electric, 8 100 kw
• Service speed: 11 knots
• Accomodation: 19 single-berth, 13 double-berth cabins

Operator: IMR
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Johan Hjort' is named after the first IMR director and one of the founders of ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea), Johan Hjort (1869 -1948).

The vessel was built in 1990 at Flekkefjord Slipp & Maskinfabrikk AS.

Diesel mechanical proulsion system replaced with a hybrid system (mechanical, electrical and batteries) in 2017.

She is equipped for fisheries and environmental research and will mainly operate in the Norwegian Exclusive Economic Zone.

The equipment includes advanced acoustic instruments for fish detection and echo integration and gear for operating various types of bottom and mid water trawls, various types of plankton samplers, CTD and other lowering probes and water samplers for environmental observation.

RV Johan Hjort at a Glance:

• Shipyard: Flekkefjord Slipp & Maskinfabrikk
• Built: 1990
• Length: 64.4 m
• Beam: 13.0 m
• GRT: 4 1950
• Machinery: 2400 kw
• Service speed: 11 knots
• Accomodation: 24 single, 5 double

Operator: IMR
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Kristine Bonnevie (ex-Dr. Fridtjof Nansen) is owned and managed by the Institute of Marine Research (IMR). It is used for both scientific programmes and education of students in marine biology, oceanography and geology. The vessel is named after Kristine Bonnevie (1872 -1948), marine biologist and Norway’s first female professor. The vessel was built as «Dr. Fridtjof Nansen» for foreign aid programs in Africa and Asia, and in 2016 it replaced «Håkon Mosby» after a major upgrade and conversion to arctic waters. It is mainly used in the North Sea, Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea in addition to Norwegian coastal waters.

RV Kristine Bonnevie at a Glance:

• Shipyard: Flekkefjord Slip & Maskinfabrik, Norway
• Built: 1993
• Length: 56,75 m
• Beam: 12,5 m
• GRT: 1440
• Machinery: Diesel mechanical, 2717 hk
• Service speed: 11 knots
• Accomodation: Two single, one double and three 4-person cabins.

Operator: IMR
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The new icebreaker research vessel, Kronprins Haakon, scheduled for delivery in 2017

"Crown Prince Haakon" is a high-tech research vessel with great force that can move forward through ice-covered waters of the earth’s northern and southern Polar Regions.

The vessel has a very round bow, and is constructed with steel plates three times as thick as those in conventional vessels.

RV Kronprins Haakon at a Glance:

• Shipyard: Fincantieri yards
• Built: 2017
• Length: 100 m
• Beam: 21.0 m
• Vessel Classification: Vessel classification DNV + 1A1, EO, RP, NAUT-OSV(A), CLEAN DESIGN, PC3 ICEBREAKER, DAT (-35), WINTERIZED BASIC, HELDK-SHF, DYNPOS-AUTS, COMF-V(3)/C(2), DK(+)
• Endurance: 21 Days at crusing speed
• Accomodation: 15–17 crew and 35 scientists
• Other: Moonpool and ROV, AUV and helicopter operations

Operator: UTM-CSIC CMIMA
Further Information

The government authorized the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) on 12 March 2004 to construct a new Oceanographic Research Ship designed to work in various marine disciplines.

Unidad de Tecnología Marina (UTM) is accountable for the maintenance of the scientific equipment of the vessel and provides the necessary supporting technical staff for oceanographic expeditions.

RV Sarmiento de Gamboa at a Glance:

• Operator: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
• Main Activity: Oceanographic Research Ship Multipurpose
• Area of operation: Worldwide except polar regions
• Vessel Builder Details: Construcciones Navales P. Freire (Vigo, Spain)
• Features LOA: 70,5 m
• Beam: 15,50 m
• Full load draft: 4.60m
• Maximum speed: 15 knots
• Autonomy: 40 days
• Official Crew: 6
• Crew: 10
• Scientists: 25

Operator: Spanish Navy
Further Information

Research vessel RV Hesperides, a vessel belonging to the Spanish Navy, is based upon the Port of Cartagena (Spain) where it was built and launched on March 12, 1990.

The research that is carried out on this vessel is directed and funded mainly by the National R+D+I Plan. Since it is a Great Facility, the Ministry of Science and Technology, through the Committee for the Coordination and Follow-up of Oceanographic Vessels' Activities, undertake the responsibility for the scientific management of the vessel.

UTM is accountable for the maintenance of the scientific equipment of the vessel and provides the necessary supporting technical staff for oceanographic expeditions.

RV Hesperides at a Glance:

• Vessel Builder Details: Astilleros Bazán (Cartagena, Spain)
• Features LOA: 82.5 m
• Beam: 14,30 m
• Full load draft: 4.42 m
• Maximum speed: 14.7 knots (5.0 knots in ice 40 cm)
• Crew: 58
• Scientists: 29

Operator: CSIC
Further Information

Oceanographic vessel García del Cid belongs to CSIC and was launched in 1979. Its maintenance is carried out in Vigo (Spain) with the support of CSIC's Marine Research Institute. It is based upon the Port of Barcelona.

This vessel is specifically used for marine scientific research and by national or international scientific teams carrying out oceanographic research.

RV Garcia del Cid at a Glance:

• Features LOA: 37.2 m
• Beam: 8.40 m
• Full load draft: 4,71 m
• Maximum speed: 10 knots
• Crew: 14
• Scientists: 12

Operator: NERC
Further Information

The Natural Environment Research Council took delivery of the Royal Research Vessel The James Cook in August 2006 from the shipbuilders Flekkefjord Slipp & Maskinfabrikk AS, Norway. The ship went into full service as a research ship in Spring 2007 after commissioning trials and her naming ceremony.

The RRS James Cook is managed by NERC's National Marine Facilities Sea Systems team (NMFSS), based at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton.

The James Cook is capable of operating in some of the world's most challenging environments from tropical oceans to the edge of the ice sheets, enabling leading-edge multidisciplinary research. The vessel undertakes both continental margin and deep ocean projects.

The RRS James Cook has eight science laboratories; including water sampling, chemistry, controlled environments and meteorology. Eight cranes and winches that can lift and deploy an array of equipment, plus the deck areas which can house specialised handling equipment. Her navigation system allows dynamic positioning, which provides scientists with great accuracy.

Built to accommodate up to 31 scientists and 23 officers and crew, and without the need to dock for nearly two months, the ship is not just a place of work but a home too. Everyone has their own room and meals are provided, there is also a lounge, library, video room, solarium and gymnasium.

Further information on the Ships Particulars can be found here

Operator: NERC
Further Information

The Royal Research Ship Discovery is designed to support the multidisciplinary research required for the 21st century. The ship is the fourth vessel to bear the name and continues the tradition of oceanographic research at sea. RRS Discovery was delivered to NERC on the 8th July 2013 by builders CNP Freire, SA from Vigo in northern Spain.

The RRS Discovery comes with sub-bottom profiling and multi-beam equipment for mapping the seabed, whilst her dynamic positioning capability means Remotely Operated Vehicles such as Isis can be used. Her wide range of cranes and overside gantries, with associated winches and wires, will allow many different types of equipment to be deployed from the ship. These facilities and the many more listed below help support the UK marine science community as it undertakes research of national and global importance.

Further information on the Ships Particulars can be found here

Operator: NERC
Further Information

RRS James Clark Ross is one of the most sophisticated marine research vessels afloat. Built by Swan Hunter Shipbuilders at Wallsend on the River Tyne, it was launched by the Queen on 1st December 1990.

The ship is powered by diesel engines which drive an electric propulsion system. In open waters the vessel can travel at a steady 12 knots for more than 50 days at sea. In pack ice of up to one meter thick, the engines can drive the ship at a constant two knots.

To help break through the heavy pack ice, the ship is also equipped with a special compressed air system which forces water from one side of the ship to the other causing the ship to roll. This rolling prevents the pressure of the ice from squeezing and damaging the hull.

The ice-strengthened hull, the propulsion and other ship's systems are designed for extremely quiet operations. They prevent background noise from interfering with the performance of sensitive underwater research equipment. Bow and stern thrusters combined with a joystick control system allow for extremely precise manoeuvring and positioning for scientific work.