The meeting brought together marine research vessel operators from across Europe. The vessel is being fitted out to carry out scientific tasks in seas and coastal waters.
Daniel Rey, director of the Marine Research Center of the University of Vigo (CIM), showed this week at the 26th edition of the ERVO meeting the new oceanographic vessel with plug-in hybrid propulsion that the center is about to launch. The vessel, which was presented to society last December, is currently being equipped for scientific work before it can begin operating in the coming months.
A meeting to improve the efficiency of research vessel operations
This ERVO meeting, organized by the UTM-CSIC, brought together marine research vessel operators from all over Europe at the Museo do Mar de Galicia with the aim of promoting cooperation and the exchange of information between its members to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of research vessel operations. During the conference, representatives of the industry, public administrations, ports and research centers met to share experiences, discuss common challenges and explore new opportunities for collaboration. In this context, Daniel Rey participated in a round table in which he presented the first professional vessel manufactured in Spain with plug-in hybrid propulsion. The ship, with a budget of 1.5 million euros, was built at the Moañés shipyard Rodman Polyships and as explained by the head of the CIM, it is 19.5 meters long and 5.4 meters wide and is equipped with solar panels, wind turbines and an 815 HP diesel engine, “demonstrating the leadership of Vigo and the CIM in the adoption of sustainable and innovative technologies in shipbuilding.”
During his speech, Daniel Rey highlighted the crucial role of plug-in hybrid vessels in coastal oceanographic research, as they reduce greenhouse gas emissions and noise pollution, benefiting the marine environment and allowing for more precise and less intrusive research. He also emphasized that their operational efficiency and energy management make these systems ideal for coastal and multidisciplinary research, aligning with the UN sustainability goals for the Decade of Ocean Science.
The vessel is currently at the Rodman Polyships shipyard to be fitted with scientific equipment. Once this process is complete, it will be able to begin operating in multidisciplinary research tasks such as analyzing the physical, chemical or biological characteristics of seawater and sediments, carrying out observation and mapping tasks of the marine ecosystem, its habitats, and the seabed and subsoil. It will also have the capacity to install and recover anchored oceanographic equipment, such as oceanographic buoys, for the launch of samplers and profilers and for logistical support to medium and small unmanned underwater vehicles.
Technical characteristics of the vessel
Although it is a vessel with plug-in hybrid propulsion, it also has an energy generation system based on solar panels with polycrystalline cells connected to a charger and two wind turbines linked to its control systems. It is, therefore, an environmentally friendly ship with an efficient management model and has capacity for a crew of up to 12 people. On the deck it will have elements such as a crane on one of the sides, a gantry at the stern and a winch for the handling and deployment of heavy equipment such as rosettes, test rigs, nets, ROVs, etc. The hull and deck are made of fiberglass reinforced polyester and, below, there is a laboratory, tanks, the engine room and an enabling area composed of a cabin with two bunks, a complete toilet, a dining room with kitchen and storage space.
Vigo, a key center for the construction of oceanographic vessels
The ERVO meeting, which included a visit to the Armón shipyard, where the new oceanographic Odón de Buen is being built, reaffirmed Vigo’s role not only as a key center for the construction of oceanographic vessels, but also as a leader in the integration of industrial and scientific capabilities, promoting marine research and technological innovation in the maritime sector.
The research activity of the CIM is co-financed by the Xunta de Galicia and the European Union through the European Funds (ERDF).
Source: DUVI
