National Marine Research Facilities

For the National Marine Research Facilities (NMF) department, 2020 proved to be quite a challenging year. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions many expeditions and projects had to be cancelled. The three research vessels were in lockdown in the NIOZ harbour for several months in the spring of 2020.

Kelly Kat on board of the RV Pelagia

Pelagia-bubble

With the necessary adjustments, as many science cruises as possible were made. This meant fewer people on board and rather than having crew and scientists travelling to different harbours to board the vessels, they were mainly collected from and returned back to the NIOZ harbour, even if that meant longer trips. Read the story of Kelly Kat, 2nd officer of the RV Pelagia.

Large-scale project

Despite a lot of extra work for planning and logistics, the cancellations of various expeditions also freed up some time for a very complicated project, which otherwise would have been hard to realize. The large-scale project which was set up together with oceanographer Dr Hans van Haren, was a good example of what the NMF department is capable of. A joint effort of all NMF disciplines ranging from the development engineers, to the builders, logistics, and the RV Pelagia crew. Read the story of Yvo Witte, senior sea technician, involved in this project.

Fleet renewal project

In 2020, NMF made some major contributions to the progress of the fleet renewal project. The tenders for the replacement of the RV Navicula and RV Stern were successfully completed, allowing contracts to be signed, early 2021, for the construction of the replacement vessels, RV Wim Wolff and RV Adriaen Coenen. The preparations for the intended replacement of RV Pelagia are also in full swing. By obtaining a large-scale scientific infrastructure grant, work can also be done on the development of the necessary high-tech research equipment on board.

The Taskforce Fleet Replacement, established by NWO-NIOZ, has been tasked with the renewal of the national research fleet and equipment. You can follow the progress of this project by subscribing to the digital newsletter, the website and social media @ResearchFleetNL.

RV Wim Wolff

In January 2021, the NWO-I Foundation Board approved the tendering for the research vessel RV Wim Wolff. This vessel will replace the RV Navicula, which has completed 40 years of reliable service on the Wadden Sea and in the Zeeland delta. Read more on our website >

RV Adriaen Coenen

The NWO-I Foundation Board has approved the NIOZ investment for the construction of the second new ship in the national research fleet. The seriously outdated Wadden Sea research and support vessel RV Stern will be replaced by the sustainable RV Adriaen Coenen. Read more on our website >

RV Anna Weber-van Bosse

The construction of the oceangoing RV Anna Weber-van Bosse, the intended replacement for the flagship RV Pelagia, is under preparation. More information will follow soon.