JAMSTEC Launches Japan’s First Arctic Research Vessel
The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) has launched Japan’s first Arctic research vessel, named Mirai II.The construction of the Mirai II vessel began in 2021, at Japan Marine United Corporation’s shipyard.The vessel is 128 meters long, with the with of 23 meters, and draft spanning 8 meters.The vessel’s tonnage stands at 13,000 tons, and is said to be capable of continuously breaking 1.2m of flat one-year ice at a ship speed of 3.0kt.Mirai II will be capable of accommodating 97 people on board, including 34 crew members and 63 researchers.The ship is of
Research Vessels: A Conversation with Bruce Applegate of UNOLS
science.”Technological innovation significantly enhances oceanographic research capabilities. UNOLS is implementing new technologies to improve operational efficiency and broaden research possibilities. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is developing two smaller containerized remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) as a significant advancement. The new ROVs will enhance the widely used Jason system by offering greater flexibility and deeper access for deep-sea research tasks.Another area of focus is the continued improvement of seabed mapping technology. “Mapping sonars and multibeam echo sounders
REV Ocean Finds Ship Management Partner for New Expedition Vessel
V.Ships, part of V.Group, will partner up with REV Ocean to provide a suite of ship management services for the REV Ocean vessel, deemed the world’s largest and most advanced research and expedition ship.Currently at Vard Søviknes in Norway, the vessel will be equipped to conduct research across the entire marine ecosystem, using advanced technology systems.Scientists and other experts will use it for research expeditions, seeking to solve issues related to the impact of CO2 emissions, plastic pollution, and unsustainable fishing on the ocean.The vessel is constructed to run on diesel-elect
Elomatic and Thyssenkrupp Ink Ship Design Contract for New Polarstern Icebreaker
German naval conglomerate Thyssenkrupp and Finland-based consulting and engineering company Elomatic have signed a design and engineering contract to support the development of a new Polarstern ship, bound to become the largest and most advanced research and polar logistics icebreaker.The ship will be built at the large and modern shipyard of tkMS in Wismar. The shipyard has a remarkable track record in developing complex icebreaking ships, with more than 120 ships built for polar regions.In December 2024, tkMS was awarded the public tender for the construction of the new Polarstern by the Alfred
Research Vessel Discovery and "The Night of Monster Waves"
On the night of February 8, 2000, the crew of the British research vessel, Royal Research Ship (RRS) Discovery, were braced for a storm.Wind speeds had been increasing over the previous night creating conditions no one onboard had ex-perienced before – or would want to experience again.From mid-afternoon on the 8th to mid-morning on the 9th, wave heights were topping 20 m in height and even reached 29.1 m – the equivalent to a ten-storey building – peaking around midnight.Even for 250 km west of Scotland, out in the North Atlantic, these were abnormal conditions. The storm left
February 2025
