RV Belgica

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Infrastructure Profile

Infrastructure Provider

Location/Home Port

Zeebrugge, Belgium

Organisation & Address

Institute of Natural Sciences – 3de en 23ste Linieregimentsplein, B-8400 Ostend, Belgium

Infrastructure Webpage

Visit Website

Link to Vessel/Infrastructure Schedules (if applicable)

Visit Website

Normal Area of Operation

80N – 28N & 55W – 36E

North Atlantic Ocean, North Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, Baltic Sea

Maximum Number of Days Available

15 days

Overview

Length

71.4 m

Breadth

16.8 m

Draught

4.6 m

Gross Tonnage

3722 T

Ice Class Rating

DNV ICE-1C

Dynamic Positioning (DP) Rating

DP2

Service Speed

11 knots

Maximum Number of Scientific Berths Available

22 berths available

Scientific and Technical Specifications

Laboratory Facilities

The ship has 9 labs (e.g. 5 dry labs, 2 wet labs, one scientific coordination and a data acquisition room) with a total lab space of more than 400 m². The wet fish lab is fitted with a stainless-steel fish sorting system and different freezers (-20°C & 80°C) and refrigerators are available. There is deck space for nine 20′ gear and lab containers.

AUMS (Autonomous Underway Measurement System): An elaborate “ferrybox” system for measuring physical, biological and chemical seawater properties (temperature, conductivity, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, chlorophyll, algae classes, fluorescence, dissolved organic matter, pCO2, etc.) with automatic water sampler.

Visit website for more info

CTD/Plankton sampling

CTD equipment: Sea-Bird SBE19 CTD (2x), Sea-Bird SBE9plus CTD (2x), Sea-Bird SBE21 thermosalinograph (2x), SBE 911 CTD (2x)

Water sampling equipment: Sea-Bird model 32 carousel for 24 10 liter Niskin bottles (2x)

Thermosalinograph Seabird, 2 x SBE21, with 2 x temperature sensor SBE38

Various plankton nets can be deployed

Multi-Beam(s)/Sub Bottom profiling

Deep Water Multibeam Echo Sounder Kongsberg EM304, 1×1 Degree System

Parametric Sub-Bottom Profiler TOPAS PS18 System

Shallow Water Multibeam Echo Sounder Kongsberg EM2040-04 Dual SX, Single Swath System

Fisheries Echo Sounders/Sonar

Omnidirectional fishery Sonar Simrad SU90 System

Scientific Multibeam Echo Sounder Simrad ME70 System

Scientific Split Beam Echo Sounders Simrad EK80, 6 Channel System

USBL

Kongsberg HiPAP 502 system

Coring/Sampling Capabilities

Coring and sampling capability up to 5000 m water depth. MeBo70 drill rig & BGS RD2 rock drill can be deployed, as well as a 15 m piston corer. All smaller coring and sampling gear can be deployed as well.

Winches

3 Cranes (FWD, MID, AFT) – 1.5t, 4t, 8t

2 CTD Winches (STBD) – AHC – 5000 m

Multifunctional Winch (STBD) – 5000 m

Hydrographic Winch (AFT/STBD) – 5000 m

2 Trawl Winches – 40t – 5000 m

Net Drum Winch – 30t – 10 m2

Split Net Drum Winch – 30t – 8 m2 each

Net Sonde Winch – 4.2t – 5000 m

2 Gilson Winches – 10t – 200 m

CTD Gantry & LARS (STBD)

2 STBD T-frame Gantries – 15t MBL

AFT A-Frame – 30t MBL

Visit website for more info

Communications

VSAT

Special features

Silent (DNV-GL Silent-R) & ice-strengthened multidisciplinary research vessel that is purposely build to deploy all large (and small) existing European marine research equipment (ROVs, AUVs, drill rigs, etc.)

ICOS AUMS underway system

Suitable Surveys

Suitable for all kinds of research campaign from the shelf (10 m water depth) to “full” ocean depth (5000 m water depth):

Oceanographic surveys
Fishery surveys
ROV, AUV, USV & UAV surveys
Geologic incl. seismic survey
Biological surveys
Hydrographic surveys
Chemistry surveys

Scientific Limitations

All systems up to 105 tonne total deck load can be deployed

Vessel capability to support ROV deployment

All large EU research ROVs can be deployed (ROV Victor, ROV Quest, ROV Kiel 6000, ROV Holland I, etc.)

Support offered to AQUARIUS users

All vessel equipment will be made available to AQUARIUS users on request. Technical support on vessel equipment will be available during the entire survey.

Infrastructure Availability and Contact Details

Year 2025

TBD, see website, when available

Year 2026

TBD, see website, when available

Year 2027

TBD, see website, when available

Contact email for applicants to discuss the initial feasibility of their work while they prepare their application

lnaudts[at]naturalsciences.be

Certification and Clearance Requirements

Medical Certification Requirements

A medical fitness document signed by a general practitioner to be foreseen prior to the campaign.

Any possible health issues should be discussed prior to the campaign with the Coordinator RV Belgica and the Captain RV Belgica.

Are additional medical checks required?

Survival training certification required for joining vessel

No certification required

Additional certification required

No certification required

Diplomatic clearance or other permits required and any relevant information about the application process

Under the United Nations Convention on Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS) MSR/Diplomatic clearance is required for research cruises taking place in other EEZs (national jurisdictions other than the vessel’s own). Application forms should be submitted via Diplomatic Channels (Government Foreign Departments/Ministries) 6-7 months prior to sailing by Principle Investigators in conjunction with the vessel operator. RV Vessel Operations department will generally administer the application process but please consult with the operators in advance.

Any additional clearances required for area or type of activity

Requirements for other jurisdictions to be addressed via the diplomatic clearance process

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RV Belgica

Integrating Research Infrastructures – Connecting Scientists – Enabling Transnational Access

for healthy and sustainable marine and freshwater ecosystems