Important information for potential applicants to our open Transnational Access Call. Please register your application early and read this information.
RV Aranda
Infrastructure Profile
Infrastructure Provider
Location/Home Port
Helsinki, Finland
Organisation & Address
Finnish Environment Institute, Syke, Research infrastructure, Agnes Sjöbergin katu 2, EE-talo, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
Normal Area of Operation
Latitude 54° – 65.7° N, Longitude 12° – 28° ’E
Baltic Sea
Maximum Number of Days Available
12 days
Scientists’ Travel and Logistics (T&L) Budget Available
€ 10,000.00
Overview
Length
66.3 m
Breadth
13.8 m
Draught
5 m
Gross Tonnage
1969 T
Ice Class Rating
A1
Dynamic Positioning (DP) Rating
DP Capability (no class)
Service Speed
10-11 knots
Maximum Number of Scientific Berths Available
27 berths available
Scientific and Technical Specifications
Laboratory Facilities
CTD room, Chemical laboratory (2), nutrient laboratory, salinity laboratory, biological laboratory, isotope laboratory, wet (incl. benthos sieving), sample handling room, sounding laboratory, acoustics laboratory. Laboratory container.
CTD/Plankton sampling
SBE911plus and SBE32 Carousel water sampler, Zooplankton nets, Phytoplankton nets
Multi-Beam(s)/Sub Bottom profiling
Multibeam echosounder (MBES) R2Sonic 2026, Meridata high-definition sub-bottom profiler, range 2 – 50 kHz, max. 2 frequencies simultaneously, penetration max. 80 m, vertical resolution 3 cm (sounding laboratory). Applanix POS MV Oceanmaster
Fisheries Echo Sounders/Sonar
Pelagic trawl to 100 m, Simrad EK60 and EK80 fish echosounder. Simrad ES 38 kHz transducer.
USBL
Edgetech BATS under water location system unit deck unit (bridge)
Edgetech BATS 4213 USBL under water location system unit’s transceiver (sonar well)
Edgetech 4380 beacons for USBL (acoustics laboratory)
Coring/Sampling Capabilities
Gemax corer, Box corer Aquarius, possibility to use 6 m (12 m) corers (piston/gravity/vibro)
Winches
1 Electric winch 4 mm / 700 m / 200 kg
1 Hydraulic CTD-slipring winch 8 mm / 4000 m / 800 kg
1 Hydraulic slipring winch 8 mm / 1500 m / 800 kg
1 Hydraulic mooring and towing winches 22 mm / 2000 m / 5 tons
1 Hydraulic towing winches 9 mm / 450 m (50 faired) / breaking strength 4300 kg, working load 1100 kg
Communications
Telemar Seacall VSAT Broadband
Inmarsat Fleet Broadband (Sailor Fleet Broadband 250)
Inmarsat C (Furuno Felcom 15) 2 pc
Inmarsat MiniC SSAS (Sailor TT 3000SSA) 2 pc
VHF/MF/HF (Furuno)
MF/HF telex (Furuno)
VHF-DSC
MF/HF-DSC
Aviation communication (Dittel)
Radio Beacon (Skanti 410 kHz)
Satellite TV system (Seatel 4004 / Telemar)
Navtex (Furuno)
Special features
Multibeam echosounder (MBES) R2Sonic 2026
2 x 20 ft and 2 x 10 ft on the boat deck
1 x 10 ft container and 1 x 20 ft / storage container on the research (aft) deck, 1 x 10 ft container on helicopter deck. Max. container gross weights 3-6 t
Suitable Surveys
Aranda is a modern, ice-reinforced, polar capacity multi-disciplinary R/V: marine chemistry, biology, physics and geology of the sea. The well-equipped, FINAS accredited laboratories and advanced computer systems facilitate sample treatment and data analysis under way.
Vessel capability to support ROV deployment
Yes
Support offered to AQUARIUS users
Access to the vessel and full suite of onboard vessel equipment will be made available where possible. Please check equipment availability with operator in advance.
Infrastructure Availability and Contact Details
Year 2025
54° – 65.7° N;12° – 28° ’E. Available all year round. Port of operation: Helsinki, others after negotiations
Year 2026
54° – 65.7° N;12° – 28° ’E. Available all year round. Port of operation: Helsinki, others after negotiations
Year 2027
54° – 65.7° N;12° – 28° ’E. Available all year round. Port of operation: Helsinki, others after negotiations
Contact email for applicants to discuss the initial feasibility of their work while they prepare their application
Panu.Hanninen[at]syke.fi
Certification and Clearance Requirements
Medical Certification Requirements
Seafarer medical examination form approved by Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health or equivalent
Are additional medical checks required?
Normally no
Survival training certification required for joining vessel
One day STCW Basic Safety Training or equivalent
Additional certification required
Every scientific person must participate in the safety and laboratory training and familiarize oneself the Aranda manual, before every cruise
Diplomatic clearance or other permits required and any relevant information about the application process
All the countries around the Baltic Sea require diplomatic clearances. For RV Aranda these are handled in the Aranda office, and Aranda office can assist with the process when using Aranda.
Any additional clearances required for area or type of activity
For the military areas there is need to apply separate permit for any activity. The Aranda office can assist with this process.
Additional training required
One day STCW Basic Safety Training or equivalent is required and is provided by an external organisation. Every scientist must participate in the safety and laboratory training and familiarize oneself the Aranda manual, before every cruise; this training will be provided by the Infrastructure Operator.
Training Material