Important information for potential applicants to our open Transnational Access Call. Please register your application early and read this information.
RV L'Europe
Infrastructure Profile
Infrastructure Provider
Location/Home Port
Toulon, France
Organisation & Address
IFREMER / French Oceanographic Fleet / 1625 route de Sainte-Anne – CS 10070 – 29280 Plouzané, FRANCE
Normal Area of Operation
RV L’EUROPE operates in the Mediterranean Sea (37°N-44°N; 0°E-15°E)
Maximum Number of Days Available
10 days
Scientists’ Travel and Logistics (T&L) Budget Available
€ 6,118.00
Overview
Length
29.6 m
Breadth
10.6 m
Draught
3.5 m
Gross Tonnage
335 T
Ice Class Rating
No
Dynamic Positioning (DP) Rating
No
Service Speed
9 knots
Maximum Number of Scientific Berths Available
8 berths available
Scientific and Technical Specifications
Laboratory Facilities
Science HQ room, wet lab area and dry lab area (total: 50 m²)
Scientific freezers: -20°C (89 L) and -40°C (100 L)
CTD/Plankton sampling
CTD winch (electromechanical cable, Ø6.45 mm, L 3000 m)
Hydrology winch (stainless steel cable, Ø6.45 mm, L 3000 m)
Warning: There is no CTD permanently onboard (must be provided by the science team)
Multi-Beam(s)/Sub Bottom profiling
EM2040 capability (flush antenna)
Warning: Electronics & acquisition PC are fitted in a mobile
20’ container (which is not kept onboard permanently)
Fisheries Echo Sounders/Sonar
ME70 (70-120 kHz, water column or bathymetry mode)
EK60 (38, 70, 120, 200, 333 kHz)
MARPORT (trawl positioning) system
USBL
Retractable pole on which can be fitted USBL antennas (Posidonia, GAPS, RAMSES systems) but by default there is no USBL permanently onboard
Coring/Sampling Capabilities
Gravitational corer (Kullenberg, max 5 m), multitube interface corer, Shipek or Day grab capability
Winches
2 x Trawl door winches (Ø16 mm, L 2700 m)
Oceanography winch (Ø10.8 mm, L 5000 m)
Gilson winch (Ø20 mm, L 50 m)
Communications
VSAT (768 kb/s shore2ship; 256 kb/s ship2shore), Iridium, GSM phone and VOIP system
Special features
A-Frame (SWL: 5 T)
Main crane (SWL: 0.6t @ 12 m)
SBE21 thermosalinograph for surface water analysis
Meteorological station (atmospheric pressure, T°, etc)
Suitable Surveys
Fisheries & Biology, Oceanography, Mooring or seabottom gear deployment/recovery, AUV & ROV operations
Scientific Limitations
L’Europe works on a 5/1 rhythm (maximum of 5 days at sea, then 1 day on the quayside for maintenance, fuel, water or food supplies). Also, L’Europe is a catamaran and therefore the weather limitations are higher than a regular single-hull vessel.
Vessel capability to support ROV deployment
Yes (HROV Ariane)
Support offered to AQUARIUS users
Access to the vessel and full suite of onboard vessel equipment is provided. Please check equipment availability with the operator in advance.
Infrastructure Availability and Contact Details
Year 2025
1) Location: Mediterranean Sea
2) Availability: TBC, depending on regional cruise planning (Possibly beginning till mid August, then from mid November till end of December)
3) Port of operation: Toulon
Year 2026
1) Location: Mediterranean Sea
2) Availability: TBC, depending on regional cruise planning
3) Port of operation: Toulon
Year 2027
1) Location: Mediterranean Sea
2) Availability: TBC, depending on regional cruise planning
3) Port of operation: Toulon
Contact email for applicants to discuss the initial feasibility of their work while they prepare their application
francois.perroud[at]ifremer.fr
Certification and Clearance Requirements
Medical Certification Requirements
In order to embark, all personnel (seafarers, scientists, etc) have to:
– Provide a certificate justifying their fitness for working at sea (the maximum validity being 2 years under the age of 55 and 1 year for people over 55)
– Fill a confidential medical questionnaire (For emergency response)
– Declare if they have special food allergies
For further details, please check this website
Are additional medical checks required?
Possibly, if special operations (such as diving for instance) are planned
Survival training certification required for joining vessel
STCW survival training, although recommended, are only mandatory for seafarers (e.g. vessel crew) but NOT for scientists (which are considered as special personnel / technicians), but French maritime legislation may evolve in the future.
Additional certification required
Ship security awareness training is recommended but NOT mandatory.
A safety briefing and safety tour will be done onboard with the vessel’s chief officer.
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
Yes:
– Access and benefit-sharing as established by Article 14 of the Nagoya Protocol (and here)
– If operations are carried out in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
– An environmental impact analysis may also be necessary depending on the case (country/area/operation)
Additional Resources