RRS Discovery (1962)
 RRS Discovery
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 UK | |
| Name | RRS Discovery |
| Owner | NERC National Marine Facilities Division |
| Builder | Hall Russell, Aberdeen[2] |
| Yard number | 899[2] |
| Laid down | 1962 |
| Launched | 3rd July 1962 by Mary Viscountess Hailsham |
| Out of service | 14th of December 2012 |
| Identification | list error: <br /> list (help) IMO Number: 5090660[1] ICES Code: 74E3 |
| Status | not in service |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | list error: <br /> list (help) Royal Research Ship DTp VII, Lloyds 100A1 |
| Tonnage | 3008 tonnes (gross)[2] |
| Displacement | 4378 tonnes |
| Length | 90.0 m[1] |
| Beam | 14.0 m[1] |
| Draught | 5.52 m (full load) |
| Depth | 7.83 m[2] |
| Installed power | 3716 kW |
| Propulsion | Diesel electric system with 2 × Mirrlees Blackstone ESL6 and 2 × Mirrlees Blackstone ELS9 Mk2 diesels driving a propulsion motor. 360° Azimuthing Bow Thruster unit |
| Speed | 11.0 knots (max: 12.5 knots) |
| Endurance | 55 days |
| Crew | 9ficers; 13 Crew; 28 Scientists |
RRS Discovery was a British Royal Research Ship operated by NERC.
RRS Discovery (III) was built in Aberdeen in 1962 and named after Robert Falcon Scott's 1901 ship, RRS Discovery. Until 2006, she was the largest general purpose oceanographic research vessel in use in the United Kingdom. Measuring 90 metres in length, and fitted with a broad range of oceanographic equipment, Discovery could also accommodate containerized laboratories. She had berths for 28 scientific staff, and the ability to spend up to 45 days at sea.[3] Her last major overhaul was in 1991,[4] when a new superstructure and power plant were installed and her hull lengthened by 10 metres.[5]
Discovery carries out oceanographic and marine biology research from the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton. She operates as part of a fleet maintained by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) National Marine Facilities Division (NMFD), along with the larger RRS James Cook.
In February 2000, Discovery observed the largest rogue waves, up to 29.1 metres, recorded by scientific instruments.[6]
Discovery (III) is due to be replaced by another ship,[7] and after extensive enquiry within the scientific community, the replacement vessel will be named "Discovery" (IV).[8] The existing vessel will retain the name until shortly before, or at, disposal. The new vessel has been designed by Skipsteknisk AS of Norway and built in Spain by C.N.P. Freire, S.A for delivery in 2013 and to be available for scientific research in 2014.[9]
Gallery
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RRS Discovery leaving the Mersey. -
RRS Discovery inbound to Southampton. -
RRS Discovery inbound to Southampton April 2011.
Footnotes
- ^ a b c d e "RRS Discovery (IMO: 5090660)". Vessel Tracker. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
- ^ a b c d "Discovery". Vessel Assessment System. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
- ^ "RRS Discovery". Natural Environment Research Council. Retrieved 5 June 2009.
- ^ "RRS Discovery". Inter-Agency Committee on Marine Science and Technology. Retrieved 2008-01-04.
- ^ "National Marine Facilities - Sea Systems: RSS Discovery". National Oceanography Centre - University of Southampton. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
- ^ Holliday, NP, MJ Yelland, RW Pascal, VR Swail, PK Taylor, CR Griffiths, and EC Kent (2006). Were extreme waves in the Rockall Trough the largest ever recorded? Geophysical Research Letters, Vol. 33, L05613
- ^ "Tenth Report". House of Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology. Retrieved 5 June 2009.
- ^ confirmed by Alan Thorpe, NERC Chief Executive
- ^ "RRS Discovery Replacement". National Oceanography Centre (NERC). Retrieved 13 June 2013.
External links
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