New research vessel

The agreement on the construction of the vessel has been signed on at the Institute of Oceanography of the University of Gdańsk in Gdynia.

"The purpose of the ship will be conducting interdisciplinary (biological, chemical, physical and geological) studies of Baltic environment and nature, and conduct classes for oceanography and other students" - said the University of Gdańsk spokeswoman Beata Czechowska-Derkacz.

The ship will have wet, measuring, sterile, and thermostated labs, as well as seminar and computer room. Its home port will be the Gdynia.

The new research vessel of the University of Gdańsk will be a catamaran with a length of 40 m and a width of 14 meters, capable of maximum speed of 12 knots.

The primary sailing region will be the Baltic Sea, but travels to other regions are possible. The ship’s range will reach 2,500 nautical mile, and it will be capable of sailing for 21 days without calling at port.

The ship will be built by the consortium of Shiprepair Yard "Nauta" SA and Crist SA. Funds for the investment in the amount of PLN 36 million were granted to the University of Gdańsk in August 2011 by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.

The current research vessel K/H Oceanograf-2 was built in the early 1970s. After receiving the new vessel, the University of Gdańsk plans to sell the old ship.

PAP - Science and Scholarship in Poland