Australia's marine science community has welcomed the arrival of the 'Investigator' to its home port of Hobart, Tasmania.
Designed by RALion, a joint venture between Canada's Robert Allan Ltd and the Alion Science and Technology (Canada) Corporation, as well as Alion's branch in Virginia, USA, the ice-strengthened vessel measures 94 metres in length and has been installed with up to US$18 million worth of scientific equipment.
One of the largest oceanographic research vessels in the world, the 'Investigator' replaces Australia's outgoing government research vessel 'Southern Surveyor'.
The 'Investigator' is capable of mapping the sea floor at any depth, collecting weather data 20 kilometres into the atmosphere, analysing fish species with sonar, and revealing the composition of the seabed 100 metres below the sea floor. She will be utilised for extended operations throughout the Southern Ocean and beyond.
In 2009, the Australian Federal Government committed over US$100 million from its Education Investment Fund for a new research vessel for the Marine National Facility. The vessel will be owned and operated by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) on behalf of the nation.
In 2011, RALion was awarded the contract to design the 'Investigator' from the vessel's Singapore-based shipbuilder, with Teekay Holding Australia acting as project managers.
