DISCOVERY

DISCOVERY (IMO: 9588029) sailing under the UK flag. It has an overall length of 328 feets and a beam of 59 feets.

Vessel Identification

• MMSI: 235091165
• IMO: 9588029
• Call Sign: 2FGX5
• Flag State: United Kingdom
• Vessel Type: Research Vessel

Specifications

• Gross Tonnage: 6,334 GT
• Length Overall: 99.7 m
• Beam: 18.6 m
• Draught: 5.7 m
• Deadweight: 1,879 DWT

Propulsion

• Propulsion Type: Diesel-Electric
• Drive Type: Azimuth Thrusters (Dynamic Positioning capable)
• DP Class: DP2

Shipyard

• Builder: Remontowa Shipbuilding
• Country: Poland
• Year Built: 2013

Owner / Operator

• Owner: Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
• Operator: National Oceanography Centre (NOC)
• Management: British Antarctic Survey (BAS)

Navigation / Communications Equipment

• AIS Class: Class A
• Dynamic Positioning: DP2 System
• Navigation Systems: GMDSS equipped

Operating Region

• Primary Region: Global operations including North Atlantic, Southern Ocean, and Antarctic waters
• Operational Role: Deep-sea oceanographic and scientific research expeditions

Vessel Description

RRS Discovery is a British Royal Research Ship operated under the National Oceanography Centre and managed in association with British Antarctic Survey. She is purpose-built for oceanographic research and is equipped with extensive scientific laboratories and research infrastructure. The vessel supports multidisciplinary scientific missions including physical oceanography, marine biology, and geosciences. As a successor to previous vessels bearing the Discovery name, she continues a long tradition of British ocean science exploration. Her diesel-electric propulsion and DP2 dynamic positioning capability allow her to maintain station in demanding sea conditions without anchoring, essential for deep-water scientific operations.