Important information for potential applicants to our open Transnational Access Call. Please register your application early and read this information.
RV Celtic Explorer
Infrastructure Profile
Infrastructure Provider
Location/Home Port
Galway, Ireland
Organisation & Address
Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway, Ireland
Normal Area of Operation
North Atlantic in the area 40-65N, 35W to 10E & on a case by case basis depending on annual operational plan
Maximum Number of Days Available
20 days
Scientists’ Travel and Logistics (T&L) Budget Available
€ 18,000.00
Overview
Length
65.5 m
Breadth
15 m
Draught
5.8 m
Gross Tonnage
2425 T
Ice Class Rating
Yes 1 D +Polar Code(2020)
Dynamic Positioning (DP) Rating
DP1
Service Speed
10 knots
Maximum Number of Scientific Berths Available
21 berths available
Scientific and Technical Specifications
Laboratory Facilities
Large wet, chemistry and water labs, Dry Lab, fitted with a stainless-steel fish sorting system, freezers (-20, 80°C) and refrigerators
Capacity to carry 7 x 20ft containerized labs
Underway T+S, PC02, Fluorometer, Meteorological sensors
CTD/Plankton sampling
CTD and Rosette sampler – 2 x SBE 911 CTD with SBE 32 carousel (24 Bottle), 6000m deployment capability.
Towed and lowered plankton nets (including Multi-Net)
Multi-Beam(s)/Sub Bottom profiling
Full ocean depth multi-beam system (EM302) to 8000m, Medium and High resolution systems: EM 1002 (1000m), EM2040 (500m)
Fisheries Echo Sounders/Sonar
EK 60 at 18 Khz, 38 Khz, 120 Khz & 200 Khz. SU92 Sonar
USBL
Sonardyne Ranger 2 (4000m)
Coring/Sampling Capabilities
VibroCore (3/6m), Gravity core (3/6m), user corers max 12m. Max deployment depth 5000m. Box Core and Day Grab
Winches
2 x 30 tonne Trawl winches (4500 m x 26 mm wire), 10 tonne Coring Winch (5000 m x 14 mm Dynex), CTD winch 6000 m x 11 mm wire, Hydrographic winch 200 m x 12 mm dynex, Fibre optic winch 2700 m x 10 mm wire (Drop Camera)
Communications
Starlink, Satellite Broadband system, 2056 kbps/512 Kbps, Iridium, GSM phone and VOIP system
Special features
Silent vessel (ICES 209), Large net drums for mooring and buoy deployments
Suitable Surveys
Multipurpose silent research vessel. Suitable for carrying out a wide variety of scientific survey operations in offshore and deep-sea locations. The vessel is adapted to accommodate a variety of Remotely Operated Vehicles.
Vessel capable of pelagic and demersal trawling to 2200 m, Fisheries acoustic surveys, Hydrographic survey, Oceanographic surveys, Mooring deployments, Seismic surveys, ROV Surveys & Benthic surveys
Scientific Limitations
Limited to 1500 m streamer for seismic surveying
Vessel capability to support ROV deployment
Yes, capable. Deck space with 500 kVa power supply, Dynamic Positioning, USBL, Crane and A-Frame for launch and recovery
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
Normal Operating Area as outlined above. Potential availability in July/August. Ports of operation generally include Cork, Killybegs, Galway
Year 2026
Normal Operating Area as outlined above. Available May, June, July & August. Ports of operation generally include Cork, Killybegs, Galway
Year 2027
Normal Operating Area as outlined above. Available May, June, July & August. Ports of operation generally include Cork, Killybegs, Galway
Contact email for applicants to discuss the initial feasibility of their work while they prepare their application
Aodhan.Fitzgerald[at]marine.ie
Certification and Clearance Requirements
Medical Certification Requirements
STCW Medical Certification required, i.e., ENG11
Are additional medical checks required?
No
Survival training certification required for joining vessel
STCW Personal Survival Techniques (PST) required
Additional certification required
Ship Security Awareness
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
SAC Clearance & Marine Notices also required for certain work