Sembawang Shipyard of Singapore and Teekay Shipping Australia are set to hand over the 94-metre scientific research vessel 'Investigator' to its new owners, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), an agency of the Federal Government of Australia.
Measuring 94 metres in length, with a beam of 18.5 metres and a draught of 5.7 metres, the vessel was designed by Canadian naval architecture firm Robert Allan Ltd in collaboration with United States-based research institute Alion Science and Technology of Alexandria in Virginia.
The Lloyd's-classed vessel has been designed to operate in waters from the tropical north coast of Australia to the Antarctic. It is fitted with a full range of scientific laboratories and oceanographic sampling equipment and it maintains a minimal underwater-radiated noise profile. This is supported by DNV's "Silent-R" notation.
The 'Investigator' is fitted out with a full range of scientific laboratories, science and fishing winches, coring equipment, air and water sampling devices, and acoustic systems. It also features a gondola and two retractable drop keels to house the extensive scientific sonar and transducer suites. To support fisheries research activities, the vessel is fitted with a stern ramp.
For propulsion, twin screws are powered by an integrated diesel-electric propulsion and ship service plant. Three Mak diesel generators provide a total electrical output of 9.0MW at 690 V, powering the vessel to a speed of 15 knots whilst fully loaded in sea state two.
With an endurance of up to sixty days, the vessel has a range of over 10,000 nautical miles. To meet the noise requirements of the DNV Silent-R notation, the diesel generators are double resiliently mounted on a raft system.
