A research vessel is a ship primarily constructed to carry out scientific research at sea.

Role of research vessels

Research vessels carry out a number of roles at sea. Some of these can be combined into a single vessel, others require a dedicated vessel . Fisheries science requires platforms which are capable of towing a number of different types of net, collecting plankton or water samples from a range of depths, and carrying acoustic fish-finding equipment. Fisheries research vessels are often designed and built along the same lines as a large fishing vessel, but with space given over to laboratories and equipment storage, as opposed to storage of the catch. An example of a fisheries research vessel is the FRV Scotia .

Hydrographic survey vessels are used to conduct hydrographic and seismic surveys of the seabed and the underlying geology. This information is useful for both producing navigational charts for shipping, and for detecting geological features which are likely to bear oil or gas. These vessels usually mount equipment on a towed structure, for example, air-cannons, used to generate a high pressure shock wave to sound the strata beneath the seabed, or mounted on the keel, for example, a depth sounder. An example of a hydrographic survey vessel is the NOAAS Rude.

Oceanographic research vessels carry out research on the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water, the atmosphere and climate, and as such, are required to carry equipment for collection of water samples from a range of depths, including the deep seas, as well as eqipment for hydrographic sounding of the seabed, along with numerous other environmental sensors. An example of an oceanographic research vessel is the RV Thomas G Thompson . As the requirements of both oceanographic and hydrographic research are very different to those of fisheries research, these boats often fulfil a dual role.

Due to the demanding nature of the work these ships have to deal with, research vessels are often constructed around an icebreaker hull, allowing them to operate in polar waters.

List of some research vessels by country

Argentina

• ARA Almirante Irízar
• ARA Puerto Deseado

Australia

• RV Southern Surveyor

Canada

• CCGS W.E.Ricker

Éire

• RV Celtic Explorer
• RV Celtic Voyager

Germany

• FRV Walther Herwig III
• RV Polarstern

Pakistan

• PNS Behr Paima

Portugal

• MV Capricornio
• MV Noruega

United Kingdom

• FRV Scotia
• FRV Clupea
• RSS Charles Darwin
• RV Triton

United States of America

• NOAAS Ronald H. Brown
• NOAAS Oscar Elton Sette
• NOAAS Rude

External Links

• Unofficial (English Language) Homepage of the research icebreaker "ARA Almirante Irizar
• Australian research vessel facilities
• Canadian research fleet
• Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research - home of the "Polarstern"
• NOAA Marine Operations