RV Celtic Explorer

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Infrastructure Profile

Infrastructure Provider

Location/Home Port

Galway, Ireland

Organisation & Address

Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway, Ireland

Infrastructure Webpage

Visit Website

Link to Vessel/Infrastructure Schedules (if applicable)

Visit Website

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

Scientists’ Travel and Logistics (T&L) Budget Available

€18,000.00

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?

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

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RV Celtic Explorer

Integrating Research Infrastructures – Connecting Scientists – Enabling Transnational Access

for healthy and sustainable marine and freshwater ecosystems