RRS Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin in Avonmouth Docks, being readied for a research cruise. | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | |
| Name | RRS Charles Darwin |
| Namesake | Charles Darwin |
| Owner | Natural Environment Research Council |
| Operator | NERC - Research Vessel Services |
| Builder | Appledore Shipbuilders, North Devon |
| Yard number | 138 |
| Laid down | 1984 |
| Launched | 22 February 1984 by the Prince of Wales |
| Out of service | June 2006 |
| Homeport | London |
| United Kingdom | |
| Name | RV Ocean Researcher |
| Owner | Gardline Shipping ltd. |
| Operator | Gardline Shipping Limited |
| Port of registry | Lowestoft |
| Acquired | 2006 |
| Identification |
|
| Status | in service |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | DTp VII, Lloyds 100A1 oceanography then multi-role survey vessel |
| Displacement | 2,556 tonnes, fully loaded. |
| Length | 69.4 m (227 ft 8 in) |
| Beam | 14.4 m (47 ft 3 in) |
| Draught | 4.85 m (15 ft 11 in) |
| Installed power | 3 Mirrlees Blackstone MB275 diesels: 7,950 hp (5,928 kW) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 12.5 knots (23.2 km/h; 14.4 mph) |
| Range | 9,240 nmi (17,110 km; 10,630 mi) |
| Endurance | 35 days |
| Complement | 39 (inc. scientific staff) |
| Sensors & processing systems | Simrad EM 12S 120 and EA500 echo/sonar; multiple GPS systems; Bridgemaster ARPA C342/6 and C252/6 radar. |
RRS Charles Darwin was a Royal Research Ship belonging to the British Natural Environment Research Council. Since 2006, she has been the geophysical survey vessel, RV Ocean Researcher,