RV CELTIC EXPLORER

RV CELTIC EXPLORER (IMO: 9244439) is a Pleasure vessel sailing under the Ireland flag. It has an overall length of 213 feets and a beam of 49 feets.

Vessel Identification

• MMSI: 250487000
• IMO Number: 9244439
• Call Sign: EIGB
• Flag State: Ireland
• Vessel Type: Research Vessel
• AIS Type: 31 (Research Vessel)

Specifications

• Gross Tonnage: 3,307 GT
• Length Overall: 65.5 m
• Beam: 15.0 m
• Draught: 5.6 m
• Deadweight: 800 DWT
• Displacement: 4,500 tonnes

Propulsion

• Propulsion Type: Diesel-Electric
• Main Engines: 2 × Wärtsilä diesel generators
• Propulsors: Azimuth thrusters (twin)
• Bow Thruster: 1 × bow thruster fitted
• Dynamic Positioning: DP2 capable
• Speed: Approximately 13 knots service speed

Shipyard

• Builder: Søviknes Verft AS
• Country of Build: Norway
• Year Built: 2003
• Hull Number: 43

Owner / Operator

• Owner: Marine Institute Ireland
• Operator: Marine Institute Ireland
• Home Port: Galway, Ireland
• Management: Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, County Galway

Navigation and Communications Equipment

• Navigation Systems: DGPS, integrated bridge system
• Echo Sounders: Multibeam echosounder (Kongsberg EM300 and EM3002)
• Sub-bottom Profiler: Fitted
• ADCP: Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler fitted
• Radar: X-band and S-band radar systems
• GMDSS: Full GMDSS equipped
• Satellite Communications: Inmarsat systems fitted
• Meteorological Equipment: Full onboard meteorological monitoring suite

Operating Region

• Primary Region: Northeast Atlantic Ocean
• Operational Areas: Irish continental shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Ireland, Rockall Trough, Celtic Sea, Irish Sea, and deep-water Atlantic areas west of Ireland
• Survey Capability: Deepwater operations to approximately 3,000 m water depth

Vessel Description

RV Celtic Explorer is the primary national research vessel of Ireland, operated by the Marine Institute. The vessel was purpose-built to support a wide range of scientific disciplines including fisheries surveys, oceanographic research, seabed mapping, and environmental monitoring. The diesel-electric propulsion system combined with DP2 dynamic positioning capability allows the vessel to maintain precise station-keeping during sensitive scientific operations. The vessel is equipped with an extensive suite of hydrographic, oceanographic, and acoustic survey systems enabling deepwater multibeam bathymetric surveys and water column sampling across the full depth range of the Irish EEZ. Laboratory spaces onboard support both wet and dry scientific work, accommodating scientific parties alongside the vessel's permanent crew. Celtic Explorer represents a core element of Ireland's national marine research infrastructure and regularly participates in international collaborative research programmes under the auspices of organisations including ICES and the European Marine Board.