The University of Vigo receives its new oceanographic: 19.5 meters, hybrid propulsion and a tipping point for the CIM
The ship, built by Rodman Polyships, has cost 1.5 million euros financed with NextGeneration funds.
It is 19.5 meters-long by 5.4 meters-wide, and will be “one of the most important, modern and innovative research infrastructures” of the University of Vigo. The academic institution has presented to society the oceanographic “CIM Uvigo”, whose construction is about to be completed at the Rodman Polyships facilities in Moaña (Pontevedra) and which will be the first professional vessel manufactured in Spain with plug-in hybrid propulsion. The university has already received the ship, where the scientific equipment will now be incorporated. The work will take place over the next two months.
The ship is equipped to carry out scientific research tasks in seas and coastal waters. Its budget has been 1.5 million, financed in part with aid granted by the State Research Agency, belonging to the Ministry of Science and Innovation, for the acquisition of cutting-edge scientific-technical equipment within the framework of the State Plan for scientific and technical research and innovation 2017-2020, resolved in November 2021.
Thanks to these NextGeneration funds, the institution's Marine Research Center will have “an infrastructure that will strengthen the position of Vigo, and Galicia in general, in coastal oceanographic research, and will allow it to address some of the most critical social challenges related to climate and environmental change, fishing, biodiversity or risk management,” explains UVigo.
The ship will have a navigation range of 20 miles, expanding the research capacity of the University of Vigo to a “very important part of the ocean that we previously could not reach if we did not hire a ship,” indicated Daniel Rey, director of the Campus do Mar. It will, therefore, represent a turning point “in the development of marine research at UVigo and in Galicia and will allow us to provide an immediate response to the problems of our community arising when there is an incident, it will be an almost instant resource,” he said.
The ship will be able to sail with a maximum crew of 12 people. Its equipment includes a crane on one side, a stern gantry and a winch for the handling and deployment of heavy equipment such as rosettes, testers, nets, ROV, etc. The hull and deck are made of fiberglass-reinforced polyester, and it has a conditioning area, laboratory, tanks, and engine room.
Although the boat can navigate in electric mode, without the need to use any fossil fuel, it also has a four-stroke diesel engine, supercharged, and cooled by charge air, with a minimum power of 815 HP to ensure a maximum speed of 15 knots and a cruising speed of 12 knots, to provide an autonomy of 16 hours of continuous navigation or 350 miles (at least in both cases).
The vessel is designed to carry out multidisciplinary scientific research missions such as the analysis of 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 capabilities for the installation and recovery of anchored oceanographic equipment, such as oceanographic buoys, the launch of samplers and profilers, and logistical support for medium and small-sized unmanned underwater vehicles.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras