Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia’s national science agency, has taken delivery of its new AUS$120 million research vessel RV Investigator in Singapore.
This new Marine National Facility (MNF) research vessel, will soon sail for its home port of Hobart where plans for a welcome to port ceremony have already started.
The vessel was designed by RALion (joint venture between Robert Allan Ltd. and Alion Science and Technology) and was under construction by Sembawang Shipyard Pte Ltd in Singapore.
RV Investigator, the 93.9-metre ship will be capable of spending 300 days a year at sea, supporting activities across a range of disciplines in oceanographic, climate, geological, fisheries and ecosystem research and will be able to accommodate 40 scientists, and go to sea for up to 60 days and cover 10 000 nautical miles.
“It has taken almost 10 years, an injection of funding from the Commonwealth for $120 million, and the dedication and hard work of many to have reached this milestone. At this point I would like to acknowledge the patience and good will demonstrated by Australia’s marine science community.
In early September, the MNF Steering Committee will meet to determine the 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 voyage scheduling,” Toni Moate CPA GAICD Executive Director, Future Research Vessel Project, commented.
Subsea World News Staff, August 11, 2014