Important information for potential applicants to our open Transnational Access Call. Please register your application early and read this information.
RV Socib
Infrastructure Profile
Infrastructure Provider
Location/Home Port
Port of Palma de Mallorca (Puerto de Palma de Mallorca)
Organisation & Address
Balearic Islands Coastal Observing and Forecasting System (SOCIB ), Parc Bit, Naorte, Bloc A 2ºp. pt. 3, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Normal Area of Operation
Preferred work area: coastal areas included in the Mediterranean arc between the South of France, the Strait of Gibraltar and the Balearic Islands. Balearic Sea and Alboran Sea areas.
The approximate coordinates of the preferable working “extend” for the vessel are: 35º 58′ 52.35” N / 5º 22′ 33.85”E (Strait of Gibraltar); 38º 33′ 31.32” N / 4º 35′ 34.03” E (Western Mediterranean); 42º 11′ 59.15” N/ 4º 09′ 19.37” E (South of France).
Maximum Number of Days Available
10 days
Scientists’ Travel and Logistics (T&L) Budget Available
€ 10,000.00
Overview
Length
23.76 m
Breadth
9 m
Draught
1.75 m
Gross Tonnage
172 T
Ice Class Rating
NA
Dynamic Positioning (DP) Rating
DP0
Service Speed
12 knots
Maximum Number of Scientific Berths Available
It depends on:
Minimum navigation (8 hours): up to 13 scientists
Navigation 16 hours: up to 9 scientists
24-hour navigation: between 7 and 6 scientists
Scientific and Technical Specifications
Laboratory Facilities
27 m² working laboratory organized in 2 areas:
- Wet Lab: This area is equipped with spacious work surfaces with integrated guides for the optimal location and restraint of laboratory equipment, such as pH meters, filtration manifolds, mixers, etc.
- Dry Lab: It houses the communications rack that manages all the scientific equipment installed on the ship and has space for the control of all the instrumentation installed on board. There is also space to house the control equipment for the specific equipment used in the campaigns.
CTD/Plankton sampling
SeaBird SBE21 Thermosalinometer: Continuous sea surface layer temperature and salinity data
Multi-Beam(s)/Sub Bottom profiling
No multibeam equipment installed. However, the vessel has two poles (port and starboard) that allow for easy installation of multibeam probes.
Fisheries Echo Sounders/Sonar
Mono-beam Echosounder:
The SIMRAD EK60 installed on board. It is a high-performance fishery research tool, that provides information to a depth of 3,000 meters.
USBL
No USBL installed. However, the vessel has two poles (port and starboard) that allow for easy installation of USBL transducers.
Coring/ Sampling Capabilities
Due to the resistance or strength of winches, cables and cranes, vessel is available to cast with gravity corer and mono-corer
Winches
PORT WINCH: IBERCISA MO-H/30/3000-8 model. Equipped with 3.000 m of 8 mm diameter Rochester coaxial cable, enabling communication with on board computers.
- Towing capacity: 1.900 kg with bare drum, and 1.050 kg with full drum. STARBOARD WINCH: IBERCISA MO-H/30/3500-6 model. Equipped with 3.000 m steel 6 mm diameter wire.
- Towing capacity: 800 kg with bare drum and 500 kg with full drum.
Since both winches are adjustable it can operate both with stern and starboard A-frames.
Communications
Satellite and 4G communications are available
Special features
Dynamic Positioning System. Type DP0. Only recommended with good weather conditions with little wind, little current and little waves.
Suitable Surveys
CTD’s (characterisation of water column)
Current profiles (ADCP)
Bathymetry works
Geophysics and coring works
Fishing samples
Scuba surveys
Glider/drifter operations (deployment/recovers)
Scientific Limitations
The only restrictions are those conditioned by the size of the vessel and its autonomy. More information can be found on the vessel’s website
Vessel capability to support ROV deployment
It is available. On the stern of the vessel, on the main deck, there is space to install a 10 ft container or support reinforcements to install ROV operability.
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
Any port within the area of operation described above. Check with the operator or schedule/calendar. From January to December.
Year 2026
Any port within the area of operation described above. Check with the operator or schedule/calendar. From January to December.
Year 2027
Any port within the area of operation described above. Check with the operator or schedule/calendar. From January to December.
Contact email for applicants to discuss the initial feasibility of their work while they prepare their application
catamaran.socib[at]socib.es
Certification and Clearance Requirements
Medical Certification Requirements
No medical certification required
Are additional medical checks required?
Presenting a medical certificate is recommended but not mandatory. Boarding of people with severe food allergies is not recommended. Kitchen service cannot guarantee no cross contamination of food.
Survival training certification required for joining vessel
Presenting a medical certificate is recommended but not mandatory. Boarding of people with severe food allergies is not recommended. Kitchen service cannot guarantee no cross contamination of food.
Additional certification required
Work teams must establish a “Coordination of Working Activities” to work on board. The research team (researchers and technicians) must certify that they have an occupational risk prevention service. Without this documentation it is not possible to board. Please check with vessel operator.
Diplomatic clearance or other permits required and any relevant information about the application process
It is recommended that the vessel operates in Spanish or in EU waters. If working in another jurisdiction other than Spain then MSR permit/diplomatic clearance is required and can take up to six months.
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.