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This position paper provides a review of the current European research vessel fleet, its capabilities and equipment, assessing its ability to support marine science across the globe now and into the future. It particularly looks at current and future capabilities in the context of deep sea and Polar research. It also takes a wider vision, assessing the importance of these vessels in the ocean and earth observing landscape. This review includes not only technological but also human capabilities, looking at training needs for crew and technicians to ensure they can continue to deliver on critical science needs. It also considers the ways in which the current European fleet is managed.This Position Paper sets out recommendations for how the fleet will need to develop in the future to ensure that it will continue to provide the same high level of support to science globally, as well as highlighting ways in which management could be made more efficient. It is aimed at national- and European-level policy makers and funders, as well as the marine science community and the research vessel operator community.