AQUARIUS Funding Call – Marine and Freshwater Infrastructure Access: Open 02 September 2025 – 28 October 2025
RV Thórunn Thórðardóttir
Infrastructure Profile
Infrastructure Provider
Location/Home Port
Hafnarfjordur, Iceland
Organisation & Address
Marine and Freshwater Research Institution, Fornubudir 2, 220 Hafnarfjordur, Iceland
Normal Area of Operation
Icelandic Economic Area and Greenland-Faroe Ridge & Jan Mayen
Maximum Number of Days Available
10 days
Scientists’ Travel and Logistics (T&L) Budget Available
€ 18,000.00
Overview
Length
69.8 m
Breadth
13.2 m
Draught
5.7 m
Gross Tonnage
2025 T
Ice Class Rating
1B
Dynamic Positioning (DP) Rating
DP1
Service Speed
10 knots
Maximum Number of Scientific Berths Available
15 – 17 berths available
Scientific and Technical Specifications
Laboratory Facilities
• Deck 1: Large fish processing room. Two main labs with fume hoods, seawater supply, fridge, freezer etc. Temperature-controlled room for experiments with specific temperature requirements.
• Deck 2: Wet lab with fume hood, seawater supply, fridge, freezer etc. CTD and camera control room. CTD hangar. Large hangar with underway system and with direct access to working deck for large equipment. Space for mobile lab container on deck.
• Deck 3: Acoustics lab with computer screens for echosounder, ADCP etc.
CTD/Plankton sampling
• CTD: Seabird SBE911plus CTD and rosette with 12 Niskin bottles 5L each
• Underway system: Seabird SBE45 Themosalinograph and General Oceanics pCO2 system
• ADCP: RDI Teledyne Pinnacle 45 kHz and Simrad EC150 kHz
• Plankton: possible to deploy plankton nets via the A frame
Multi-Beam(s)/Sub Bottom profiling
NA
Fisheries Echo Sounders/Sonar
Simrad EK80 (18, 38, 70, 120, 200, 333 kHz); 2 sonars; HiPAP.
USBL
NA
Coring/Sampling Capabilities
Possible to take cores via the A frame on deck
Winches
• Single conductor wire 3000 m for CTD
• Second single conductor winch
• Two multipurpose hydrographic winches
• Several trawl winches
Communications
TBC
Special features
• Dynamic positioning system. DYNAPOS AM
• Multipurpose asymmetric deck layout: Full length trawl lane on port side, large open working deck on starboard side with A frame at stern, and space for buoys, mobile lab containers etc.
• Dropkeel with acoustic transducers (ADCPs, echosounders).
• Kongsberg K-Sync to synchronize all acoustic devices.
Suitable Surveys
Physical, chemical and biological oceanography, fisheries research. Also, geology (sediment coring) etc.
Scientific Limitations
No multibeam
No sub-bottom profiler
Ice class IC
Vessel capability to support ROV deployment
Yes, with an A frame. Space to install mobile winch on working deck
Support offered to AQUARIUS users
Upon agreement, it is possible to send a scientist or technician from MFRI on the cruise (note there is not a vessel technician on board on full time).
Use of equipment from MFRI that is not permanently installed on board (e.g. fishing gear, lab equipment) upon agreement
Infrastructure Availability and Contact Details
Year 2025
TBC
Year 2026
TBC
Year 2027
TBC
Contact email for applicants to discuss the initial feasibility of their work while they prepare their application
stefan.stefansson[at]hafogvatn.is
andreas.macrander[at]hafogvatn.is
Certification and Clearance Requirements
Medical Certification Requirements
Medical certificates (confirming fit for sea duty) are required for those who go on a journey.
Are additional medical checks required?
No
Survival training certification required for joining vessel
TBC
Additional certification required
No
Diplomatic clearance or other permits required and any relevant information about the application process
Diplomatic clearance required for foreign EEZ (other than Icelandic EEZ)
Any additional clearances required for area or type of activity
For deployment of equipment, e.g. current meter moorings, in Icelandic EEZ: clearance required from Samgöngustofa (Icelandic Transport Authority). After that, need to inform Coastguard.
Additional training required
STCW A-VI/1 (safety training) for people coming onboard, one hour before departure, will be provided by an external trainer, organized by the Infrastructure Operator.