Next Generation European Research Vessels: Current Status and Foreseeable Evolution

Abstract

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.

Economic valuation of ecosystem services provided by deep-sea sponges

“…the National Science Foundation in the United States of America). There are institutions, such as the University National Oceanographic Laboratory System in the United States of America, and the Marine Science Co-ordination Committee in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, that coordinate the use of research vessels for nationally funded ocean research, and projects such as the European Union-funded Eurofleets, which supports transnational access of research vessels in Europe, and international efforts that support free-of-charge access to research vessel fleets (Nieuwejaar et al, 2019).…”

The Ever-Changing and Challenging Role of Ocean Observation: From Local Initiatives to an Oceanwide Collaborative Effort

“…Observation platforms evolved from ships to submersible human operated vehicles, and later to remotely operated and autonomous equipment, such as submersibles, moorings and seabed landers, drifters and floaters, and gliders. Modern research vessels remain essential as platforms for data collection, and for deployment and recover of other instruments, enabling the monitoring of the atmosphere, the ocean surface, the water column, the seabed, and subseafloor (Nieuwejaar et al, 2019). Likewise, sensors developed to be mounted on and operated from these platforms evolved to gradually include the measurement of more parameters and with higher accuracy.…”

An Application of Modular Design in the Refitting of a Hybrid-electric Propelled Training Ship

“…The research vessels are usually medium/small units fitted with all the equipment to carry out research at sea. Research activities might include seismographic studies, hydrographic studies, oceanographic research, fisheries research or geological studies [7]. Often, especially during measurements, the ship is required to follow strictly a predefined route.…”