ANTARCTIC DISCOVERY

ANTARCTIC DISCOVERY (IMO: 9123219) is a Fishing vessel sailing under the Australia flag. It has an overall length of 180 feets and a beam of 39 feets.

Vessel Identification

MMSI: 503718000 IMO: 9123219 Call Sign: VKAD Flag: Australia Vessel Type: Research Vessel AIS Type: 31 (Tug) / Research

Specifications

Gross Tonnage: 2,598 GT Length Overall: 68.0 m Beam: 14.2 m Draft: 5.5 m Year Built: 1997

Propulsion

Propulsion Type: Diesel-Electric Drive Type: Azimuth Thruster / Controllable Pitch Propeller

Shipyard

Builder: Kvaerner Masa-Yards Country: Finland Year Delivered: 1997

Owner / Operator

Owner: Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) Operator: Australian Antarctic Division Managing Authority: Department of the Environment and Energy, Australian Government Home Port: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Operating Region

Primary Region: Southern Ocean and Antarctic waters Base Port: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia Operational Role: Australian Government Antarctic resupply and scientific research operations Key Destinations: Casey Station, Davis Station, Mawson Station, Macquarie Island

Vessel Description

The vessel serves as a dedicated research and resupply platform operated by the Australian Antarctic Division in support of Australia's Antarctic science program. Operating in some of the world's most hostile and remote ocean environments, she is ice-strengthened to support operations in Antarctic waters. Her mission profile encompasses scientific research, cargo resupply to Australian Antarctic stations, and personnel transfer in the Southern Ocean. The vessel is equipped to support a range of scientific disciplines including oceanography, marine biology, and atmospheric science. She operates under the authority of the Australian Government and forms a critical logistical link between Australia and its Antarctic territorial interests.