State of the art polar vessel for BAS to be delivered in 2019

Monday, January 26th 2015 - 21:39 UTC

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The design of the news BAS polar vessel which should be ready for operations in 2019 at a cost of £200 million

It is intended to replace both current BAS vessels RRS James Clark Ross (JCR) and RRS Ernest Shackleton.

A new polar research vessel is currently being designed for the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). The new vessel will be an ice-capable, multi-role polar research and logistics ship which will be used to conduct science and to resupply the BAS stations such as the two in South Georgia, according to the latest South Georgia Newsletter.

A concept design for the new polar vessel, provided by Houlder Ltd naval architects, has been prepared. The ship’s features will include the ability to carry helicopters and a scientific moon pool. It is expected to be built and ready for operation in late 2019. The new ship will replace both of the current BAS vessels RRS James Clark Ross (JCR) and RRS Ernest Shackleton.

The new vessel was announced by BAS parent organization the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) in April 2014. They are now consulting with potential users to assist in the design phase to ensure that the vessel meets the current and future needs of the science community. Consulting is being conducted both online and at a meeting in London.

NERC have invited the UK and international marine and polar science user community to submit comments on the vessel's design. The London meeting will be a on January 15th to engage with the wider scientific community and encourage further participation and input into the vessel's overall design concept and operability.

Funding of more than £200 million has been earmarked for the new ship and associated enabling works at the UK's Antarctic research stations. According to the NERC website, “The state-of-the-art polar research vessel should ensure that UK polar scientists remain at the forefront of environmental research in both the Antarctic and the Arctic.”

Categories: Environment, Health & Science, Antarctica, International.

Tags: British Antarctic Survey (BAS), RRS Ernest Shackleton, RRS James Clark Ross, South Georgia.

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Old story.

However is superior to the ARA Almirante Irízar and will probably be in service much quicker.

Honestly I can't even be bothered asking how long it will take Argentineans to realise they keep voting it stupid governments who are just robbing them blind.
Jan 26th, 2015 - 10:22 pm 0
Rufus
It's clearly not a cunning British spy-ship. While it meets most of the other criteria: being very big and bright red, it's missing the subtle camouflage effect of having an enormous penguin painted on the funnel.
Jan 27th, 2015 - 10:13 am 0
Conqueror
@1. Why is an 'old story'? I haven't found anything about it before 2014. And it's still only a concept!

Just how many countries have polar research vessels operating in the Antarctic? And who are they? Australia has one. China has one. Chile has one. Germany has one. Japan has one. South Africa has one. South Korea has one. Spain has one. The UK has three. The US has two. So there's not so many are there? And a new one, especially for the BAS, is important.

Incidentally, I've discounted all icebreakers that are only supply vessels. Who will be ahead in understanding the Antarctic?

So don't knock it.
Jan 27th, 2015 - 01:53 pm 0

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