Royal Research Ship
Encyclopedia
A Royal Research Ship is a British
-operated merchant ship that conducts research for British Government scientific research organisations, notably the British Antarctic Survey
(BAS) and the Natural Environment Research Council
(NERC). A warrant from the Queen is required before a ship can be designated as an RRS.
In the 1950s and 1960s the Royal Research Ships of the day were owned by the Admiralty
, partially managed by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary
(RFA), and run as ships of that fleet. The present was launched on 3 July 1962. She was designed by Henry Herdman, a scientist with the National Institute of Oceanography
, working with a naval architect. The vessel was placed on display in London and subsequently used as the base design for the Royal Navy
'H' class survey ships. The new Discovery was manned by the RFA until NERC took over full responsibility for the operations and manning of the British research vessels, initially through NERC Research Vessel Services, part of NERC Scientific Services. The "fleet" was divided into two groups under this umbrella, those ships operated in Antarctica managed by British Antarctic Survey
and those that operate elsewhere. This second group of ships is now operated by National Marine Facilities (NMFD), based at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton
.
Notable RRS include:
(three RRS have borne the name, Discovery - owned by NERC, managed by NMFD) (replacement for the Charles Darwin - owned by NERC, managed by NMFD) (replacement for the John Biscoe - owned by NERC, managed by BAS) (replacement for the Bransfield - bareboat charter by BAS)
A small number of other UK research ships are not RRS. RV Prince Madog is jointly owned by Bangor University
and VT Ocean Sciences. The Royal Navy’s ice patrol ship, HMS Endurance
provides science logistics support to BAS.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
-operated merchant ship that conducts research for British Government scientific research organisations, notably the British Antarctic Survey
British Antarctic Survey
The British Antarctic Survey is the United Kingdom's national Antarctic operation and has an active role in Antarctic affairs. BAS is part of the Natural Environment Research Council and has over 400 staff. It operates five research stations, two ships and five aircraft in and around Antarctica....
(BAS) and the Natural Environment Research Council
Natural Environment Research Council
The Natural Environment Research Council is a British research council that supports research, training and knowledge transfer activities in the environmental sciences.-History:...
(NERC). A warrant from the Queen is required before a ship can be designated as an RRS.
In the 1950s and 1960s the Royal Research Ships of the day were owned by the Admiralty
Admiralty
The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...
, partially managed by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary
Royal Fleet Auxiliary
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is a civilian-manned fleet owned by the British Ministry of Defence. The RFA enables ships of the United Kingdom Royal Navy to maintain operations around the world. Its primary role is to supply the Royal Navy with fuel, ammunition and supplies, normally by replenishment...
(RFA), and run as ships of that fleet. The present was launched on 3 July 1962. She was designed by Henry Herdman, a scientist with the National Institute of Oceanography
National Institute of Oceanography
National Institute of Oceanography could refer to:*National Institute of Oceanography *National Institute of Oceanography *National Institute of Oceanography, Haifa*...
, working with a naval architect. The vessel was placed on display in London and subsequently used as the base design for the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
'H' class survey ships. The new Discovery was manned by the RFA until NERC took over full responsibility for the operations and manning of the British research vessels, initially through NERC Research Vessel Services, part of NERC Scientific Services. The "fleet" was divided into two groups under this umbrella, those ships operated in Antarctica managed by British Antarctic Survey
British Antarctic Survey
The British Antarctic Survey is the United Kingdom's national Antarctic operation and has an active role in Antarctic affairs. BAS is part of the Natural Environment Research Council and has over 400 staff. It operates five research stations, two ships and five aircraft in and around Antarctica....
and those that operate elsewhere. This second group of ships is now operated by National Marine Facilities (NMFD), based at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton
National Oceanography Centre, Southampton
The National Oceanography Centre, Southampton describes the integrated collaboration between the Southampton-based part of the Natural Environment Research Council’s National Oceanography Centre, and University of Southampton Ocean and Earth Science...
.
Notable RRS include:
(three RRS have borne the name, Discovery - owned by NERC, managed by NMFD) (replacement for the Charles Darwin - owned by NERC, managed by NMFD) (replacement for the John Biscoe - owned by NERC, managed by BAS) (replacement for the Bransfield - bareboat charter by BAS)
A small number of other UK research ships are not RRS. RV Prince Madog is jointly owned by Bangor University
Bangor University
Bangor University is a university based in the city of Bangor in the county of Gwynedd in North Wales-United Kingdom.It was officially known for most of its history as the University College of North Wales...
and VT Ocean Sciences. The Royal Navy’s ice patrol ship, HMS Endurance
HMS Endurance (A171)
MV Polar Circle was built in Norway in 1990, chartered by the Royal Navy as HMS Polar Circle, and finally purchased as HMS Endurance. She is a former Antarctic ice patrol ship, and is a class 1A1 icebreaker...
provides science logistics support to BAS.
External links
- UK Natural Environment Research Council
- UK National Oceanography Centre, SouthamptonSouthamptonSouthampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
- National Marine Facilities Division
- Inter-Agency Committee on Marine Science and Technology