List of research vessels by country

Survey vessels

• HMAS Barcoo (K375) (1946-1964)
• HMAS Benalla (J323) (1943-1945)
• HMAS Benalla (A 04) (1990)
• HMAS Bungaree (1944)
• HMAS Diamantina (K377) (1959-1980)
• HMS Fantome (1906-1914)
• HMAS Flinders (1981-1990)
• HMAS Gascoyne (K354) (1959-1966)
• HMAS Kookaburra (1956-1958)
• HMAS Horsham (1944-1956)
• HMAS Leeuwin (A 245) (2000)
• HMAS Melville (A 246) (2000)
• HMAS Mermaid (A 02) (1989)
• HMAS Moresby (1918) (1933-1934, 1935-1946)
• HMAS Moresby (1963) (1964-1999)
• HMAS Paluma (A 01) (1989)
• HMAS Shepparton (J248) (1943-1946)
• HMAS Shepparton (A 03) (1990)
• HMAS Warreen (1952-1966)

Canadian Coast Guard

• CCGS Amundsen
• CCGS Frederick G. Creed
• CCGS Hudson
• CCGS Limnos
• CCGS Alfred Needler
• CCGS W. E. Ricker
• CCGS Teleost
• CCGS John P. Tully
• CCGS Vector
• CCGS Capt. Jacques Cartier
• CCGS John Cabot (2020)
• CCGS Sir John Franklin

Parks Canada

• RV David Thompson (1992)
• Gwaii Haanas II^[10]

University of Victoria

• RV John Strickland^[11]

Government of Nunavut

• MV Nuliajuk

Qikiqtaaluk Corporation

• RV Celtic Voyager (bought from Ireland in 2023)^[12]
• RV Ludy Pudluk (2021)^[13][14]

Survey vessels

• HMCS Acadia (1919-1923, 1925-1939, 1945-1969)
• HMCS Cartier (1919-1939)
• HMCS Cedarwood (1948-1958)

Survey vessels

• SV Hidra^[21]
• SV Palagruža^[22]

University of South Bohemia

• RV Clione^[23][24]

Czech Academy of Sciences

• Ota Oliva^[25]
• Thor Heyerdahl (2009)^[25][26]

Faroe Islands

• RV Jákup Sverri (2020)

Greenland

• RV Sanna (2012)^[28]
• RV Tarajoq (2021)^[28]

National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries

• RV Salsabil^[29][30][31]
• RV Yarmouk^[29][30]

Tallinn University of Technology

• RV Salme^[32]

University of Tartu

• AluDevil 33^[33]
• Aurelie^[33]
• Emili 007^[33]
• Fortuuna^[33]
• Welle^[33]

Estonian Maritime Museum

• Mare (1983-2018)^[34][35]

CNRS

• RV Albert Lucas^[39][40]
• RV Antédon II^[41]
• RV Néréis II^[41]
• RV Neomysis^[41]
• RV Planula IV^[41]
• RV Sagitta III^[41]
• RV Sépia II^[41]

Ifremer

• RV Anita Conti (operational in 2026)^[42][43]
• RV Antea^[44]
• RV L'Atalante^[44]
• RV Côtes de la Manche^[44]
• RV La Curieuse (transferred to a private owner)^[44]
• RV L'Europe^[44]
• RV Haliotis^[44]
• RV Marion Dufresne^[44]
• RV Pourquoi Pas?^[44]
• RV Thalassa^[44]
• RV Thalia^[44]
• RV Téthys II^[44]
• RV Le Suroît^[44]

French Ministry of Culture

• Alfred Merlin (2021)^[45]

Cousteau Society

• RV Calypso (1950–1997)
• Anaconda^[46]
• Alcyone (1985)

Tara Ocean Foundation

• Tara
• Tara Polar Station^[47]

Des Requins et des Hommes

• Parsifal (2025)^[48][49]

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

• L'Astrolabe (1986-2017)
• L'Astrolabe (2016)

Survey vessels

• A758 Beautemps-Beaupré
• A791 Lapérouse
• A792 Borda
• A793 Laplace

German Navy

• Planet (2005)

Federal Ministry of Education and Research

• RV Meteor (1986)
• RV Sonne (2014)

Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency

• RV Atair (2021)

Alfred Wegener Institute

• RV Uthörn (1947)
• RV Uthörn (1982)
• RV Mya (replaced by Mya II)
• RV Polarstern (1982)
• RV Heincke (1990)
• RV Mya II (2013)

Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research

• RV Alexander von Humboldt (replaced by Maria S. Merian; now EV Nautilus)^[50]
• RV Professor A. Penck (1951-2010; replaced by RV Elisabeth Mann Borgese)^[51]
• RV Maria S. Merian (2006)^[50]
• RV Elisabeth Mann Borgese (2011)^[52]

GEOMAR Kiel

• RV Südfall (1946 – 1966; 1958 renamed RV Hermann Wattenberg)
• RV Alkor (1966-1990)
• Sagitta (1966-1997)
• RV Littorina (1975)
• RV Poseidon (1976-2020; sold to Sea-Watch, now Humanity 1)
• RV Alkor (1990)
• Polarfuchs (1997)

Max Planck Institute for Chemistry

• RV Eugen Seibold (2018)

Survey vessels

• HS Naftilos (A-478)
• HS Pytheas (A-474)
• HS Strabon (A-476)

Marine and Freshwater Research Institute

• RV Árni Friðriksson (2000)^[53]
• RV Bjarni Sæmundsson (1970-2025)^[53]
• RV Þórunn Þórðardóttir (2024)^[53]

Icelandic Coast Guard

• Survey vessel BALDUR (1991)

Survey vessels

• INS Mesh (J34)
• INS Sandhayak (J18) (1981-2021)
• INS Nirdeshak (J19) (1982-2014)
• INS Nirupak (J20) (1985-2024)
• INS Investigator (J15) (1990)
• INS Jamuna (J16) (1991)
• INS Sutlej (J17) (1993)
• INS Darshak (J21) (2001)
• INS Sarvekshak (J22) (2002)
• INS Makar (J31) (2012)
• INS Sandhayak (J18) (2024)

National Research and Innovation Agency

• Baruna Jaya I^[61]
• Baruna Jaya III^[61]
• Baruna Jaya VIII^[61]

Indonesian Navy

• KRI Rigel (2015)
• KRI Spica (2015)
• KRI Dewa Kembar
• KRI Pollux
• KAL Aries
• KAL Vega

Iranian National Institute for Oceanography and Atmospheric Science

• Khalije Fars sea explorer (2017)

Italian Navy

• RV Alliance A 5345 (NATO vessel, since 1 January 2016 under Italian Navy flag)
• RV Leonardo A 5301 (NATO vessel, since 11 May 2007 under Italian government flag and since 14 May 2010 under Italian Navy flag)
• RV Ammiraglio Magnaghi A 5303
• RV Aretusa A 5304
• RV Elettra A 5340
• RV Galatea A 5308
• RV Vincenzo Martellotta A 5320
• RV Raffaele Rossetti A 5315

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force

• Shirase
• JS Suma (AGS-5103)
• JS Wakasa (AGS-5104)
• AGS Shōnan
• AGS Nichinan
• AGS Futami

Korea Polar Research Institute

• RV Araon (2009)

Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology

• RV Dokdo Nuri^[64]
• RV EARDO (1992)^[65]
• RV ISABU (2016)^[66][67]
• RV JANGMOK 1^[68]
• RV JANGMOK 2^[69]
• RV ONNURI (1992)

Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources

• Tamhae 3 (2024)^[70][71]

Survey vessels

• ROKS Sincheonji
• ROKS Sinsegi

Survey vessels

• Jaiyq (2008)

Maritime Administration of Latvia

• Kristiāns Dāls (2001)^[73]
• Sonārs (2014)^[73]
• Blesser 505 WA^[73]

Ministry of Environment

• Vėjūnas (2012)^[75]

Klaipėda University

• RV Mintis^[76][77]

GEOxyz

• GEO OCEAN III to GEO OCEAN IX^[78]
• GEOSURVEYOR I, IV, V, VI, VIII, IX, XI, XII, XVI, XVII, XXI^[78]

National Institute of Fisheries Research

• RV Al Hassan Al Marrakchi^[79][80]
• RV Ibn Sina II (2023)^[81]

Royal Moroccan Navy

• Dar Al Beida (2019)^[82]

Survey vessels

• HNLMS Willebrord Snellius (1929-1942)^[83]
• HNLMS Snellius (A907) (1952-1972)^[83][84]
• HNLMS Luymes (A902) (1952-1973)^[85]
• HNLMS Tydeman (A906) (10 November 1976 - 3 June 2004; sold and renamed Plancius in 2007)^[86]
• HNLMS Snellius (A802) (2003)^[87]
• HNLMS Luymes (A803) (2004)^[87]

Survey vessels

• SMB Adventure (1998)
• HMNZS Lachlan (F364) (1949–1975)
• HMNZS Manawanui (2019)
• HMNZS Monowai (A06) (1975–1997)
• HMNZS Resolution (A14) (1997-2012)
• HMNZS Takapu (1980–2000)
• HMNZS Tarapunga (1980–2000)
• HMNZS Tui (T234) (1956–1967)
• HMNZS Tui (1970) (1970–1997)

Nigerian Navy

• NNS Lana (2021)^[88]
• NNS Zhizoko (2024)^[89]

Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research

• RV Bayagbona (2014)^[90][91]

Polish Academy of Sciences

• RV Oceania

National Marine Fisheries Research Institute

• RV Ewa (1928-1939)
• RV Profesor Siedlecki (1974-1992)
• RV Baltica (1993)^[94]

University of Gdańsk

• RV Oceanograf 1
• RV Oceanograf 2

Gdynia Maritime University

• MS Horyzont II
• RV IMOR

Maritime University of Szczecin

• MS Nawigator XXI

National Maritime Museum, Gdańsk

• RV Kaszubski Brzeg (1984-2007)

Survey vessels

• ORP Arctowski
• ORP Heweliusz
• ORP Kopernik

Portuguese Navy

• NRP Dom Carlos I
• NRP Almirante Gago Coutinho
• NRP Andrómeda
• NRP Auriga
• NRP Almeida Carvalho (1972-2002)

Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere

• NI Mário Ruivo
• NI Noruega
• NI Diplodus
• NI Tellina (2003-2019)
• NI Capricórnio (1994-2008)

University of Azores

• NI Arquipélago

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

• RV Thuwal II (2026)^[99]

Decommissioned

Survey vessels

• SAS Protea (A324)

Spanish Navy

• BIO A-33 Hespérides

Spanish National Research Council

• RV Sarmiento de Gamboa
• BO Odón de Buen (2024)^[110]
• BO García del Cid
• BO Mytilus

Instituto Español de Oceanografía

• BIO Angeles Alvariño
• BIO Ramón Margalef

Secretaría General del Mar

• BIO Miguel Oliver
• BIO Intermares
• BIO Emma Bardán

Survey vessels

• A-23 Antares
• A-24 Rigel
• A-31 Malaspina
• A-32 Tofiño
• A-91 Astrolabio
• A-92 Escándalo

Department of Marine and Coastal Resources

• PAKARANG 805^[111]
• 807^[112]

Taiwan Ocean Research Institute

• RV Legend^[116]
• RV Ocean Researcher I (operated by National Taiwan University)
• RV Ocean Researcher II (operated by National Taiwan Ocean University)
• RV Ocean Researcher III (operated by National Sun Yat-sen University)
• RV Ocean Researcher V

National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium

• RV Jiangshu (operated by National Dong Hwa University Graduate Institute of Marine Biology)^[117]

Republic of China Navy

• ROCS Ta Kuan (AGS-1601)

Natural Environment Research Council

• RV Sepia Plymouth Marine Laboratory
• RV Squilla Plymouth Marine Laboratory
• RV Tamaris Plymouth Marine Laboratory
• OWS Cumulus (Ocean Weather Ship)

National Oceanography Centre, Southampton

• RRS Discovery (1962-2012)
• RRS Discovery (2012)
• RRS James Cook
• RV Callista
• RV Bill Conway

British Antarctic Survey

• RRS James Clark Ross (1990-2021; sold to Ukraine, now Noosfera)
• RRS Ernest Shackleton (1999–2019; sold to Italy, now Laura Bassi)
• RRS Sir David Attenborough (2018)

Scottish Association for Marine Science

• RV Calanus
• RV Seol Mara

Newcastle University

• RV The Princess Royal

University Marine Biological Station Millport

(London & Glasgow Universities)

• RV Aora, now University of Washington, USA
• RV Aplysia

Swansea University

• RV Noctiluca
• RV Mary Anning^[118]

Cardiff University

• RV Coda Octopus Guiding Light

P&O Maritime

(Bangor University)

• RV Prince Madog

PEML, University of Liverpool

• RV Roagan
• RV Marisa of Liverpool

Marine Scotland

• FRV Alba na Mara
• FRV Scotia

Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science

• RV Huxley
• SY Hildegarde
• SY Hiawatha
• RV CEFAS Endeavour (2003)
• RV Cirolana
• RV Clione
• RV Corella
• RV Corystes
• RV Ernest Holt
• RV George Bligh
• SS Joseph & Sarah Miles
• RV Platessa
• RV Sir Lancelot
• RV Tellina

Environment Agency

(National Marine Service)

• RV Coastal Guardian
• RV Sea Vigil
• RV Vigilance
• RV Water Guardian

Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Northern Ireland

• RV Corystes (replaced RV Lough Foyle)

Gardline Geoservices Ltd

• RV Coastal Surveyor
• RV Ocean Discovery
• RV Ocean Endeavour
• RV Ocean Observer
• RV Ocean Researcher formerly RRS Charles Darwin
• RV Ocean Seeker
• RV Triton

Others

• RDV 01 Crystal
• RV Aurora Magnetica
• RV Diablo
• RV Song of the Whale

Survey vessels

• HMS Scott (Antarctic)
• HMS Protector
• HMS Roebuck (Coastal)
• HMS Gleaner (Coastal)
• HMS Magpie (Inshore)
• HMS Echo (Multi-Role Survey Vessel)
• HMS Enterprise (Multi-Role Survey Vessel)

Florida Institute of Oceanography

• RV Bellows
• RV Suncoaster

Oregon State University

• RV Taani, under construction^[119][120]
• RV Pacific Storm
• RV Oceanus, formerly Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution^[121][122]
• RV Elakha^[123]
• RV Acona (retired)^[119]
• RV Cayuse (retired)^[119]
• RV Wecoma (retired)^[122][124]
• RV Yaquina (retired)^[119]

Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory

• RV Vema (1953-1981)
• USNS Robert D. Conrad (1962-1989)
• USNS Eltanin (1962-1974)
• RV Maurice Ewing (1988-2005)
• RV Marcus Langseth (2007)

Marine Biological Laboratory

• RV Gemma

Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute

• RV Western Flyer
• RV Zephyr
• RV Point Lobos
• RV David Packard
• RV Rachel Carson, formerly Lytal Team and Odyssea Team

Moss Landing Marine Laboratories

• RV John H. Martin
• RV Point Sur
• RV Sheila B

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

• NOAAS Bell M. Shimada
• NOAAS David Starr Jordan (Class IV)
• NOAAS Delaware II (Class IV)
• NOAAS Fairweather (Class II)
• NOAAS Ferdinand R. Hassler (Class II)
• NOAAS Gordon Gunter (Class III)
• NOAAS Hi'ialakai (Class III)
• NOAAS Henry B. Bigelow (Class II)
• NOAAS Ka'imimoana (Class III)
• NOAAS Miller Freeman (Class II)
• NOAAS McArthur II (Class III)
• NOAAS Nancy Foster (Class III)
• NOAAS Okeanos Explorer (Class III)
• NOAAS Oregon II (Class III)
• NOAAS Oscar Dyson (Class II)
• NOAAS Oscar Elton Sette (Class III)
• NOAAS Ronald H. Brown (Class I)
• NOAAS Rainier (Class II)
• NOAAS Thomas Jefferson (Class II)

Ocean Alliance

• RV Odyssey

Schmidt Ocean Institute

• RV Falkor (donated to Italy, now Gaia Blu)
• RV Falkor (too)

Scripps Institution of Oceanography

• USS Snatch (ARS-27), better known as RV Argo (1960-1970)
• USNS Thomas Washington (T-AGOR-10) (1965-1992)
• RV Melville, sold to the Philippines and now BRP Gregorio Velasquez
• RP FLIP, sold to a UK company in 2024^[125]
• RV Horizon
• RV Spencer F. Baird^[126]
• RV New Horizon
• RV Robert Gordon Sproul
• RV Roger Revelle
• RV Sally Ride (AGOR-28)

United States Antarctic Program

• Nathaniel B. Palmer
• RV Laurence M. Gould

United States Coast Guard

• USCGC Healy (WAGB-20)
• USCGC Polar Star (WAGB-10)

United States Environmental Protection Agency

• OSV Bold

United States Navy

• USNS Hayes
• RV Knorr (transferred to Mexican Navy in 2016)
• RV Melville (retired from service in 2014)
• RV Thomas G. Thompson (operated by the University of Washington)
• RV Atlantis (operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)
• RV Roger Revelle (operated by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography)
• RV Kilo Moana (operated by the University of Hawaii)
• RV Neil Armstrong (operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)
• RV Sally Ride (operated by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography)
• USS San Carlos

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

• USS Chain (ARS-20) (1958-1977)
• RV Oceanus (now used by the Hatfield Marine Science Center, Oregon State University, College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences)
• RV Atlantis II (sold in 1996)
• RV Atlantis
• RV Knorr (transferred to Mexican Navy in 2016)
• RV Neil Armstrong (AGOR-27) (2014)
• RV Tioga

Others

• FWS Black Douglas
• RV Blue Heron (Large Lakes Observatory, University of Minnesota Duluth)
• SSV Corwith Cramer (Sea Education Association)
• RV Cape Hatteras (Marine Technology/Cape Fear Community College)
• RV Coral Reef II (John G. Shedd Aquarium)
• RV Endeavor (URI)
• RV Hugh R. Sharp (University of Delaware Marine and Earth Studies; 2005)
• DV JOIDES Resolution^[127]
• SSV Robert C Seamans (Sea Education Association)
• RV Savannah (SkIO)
• RV Te Vega (Hopkins Marine Station)
• RV Thomas G. Thompson (University of Washington)
• RV Vantuna (Occidental College)
• RV FG Walton Smith^[128]
• RV White Holly (White Holly Expeditions, LLC)
• RV Zephyr Outbound Marine Pacific Northwest (Private ownership, for hire)
• RV Pelican (LUMCON (Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium))
• RV Rachel Carson, University of Washington, formerly University Marine Biological Station Millport, UK

Survey vessels

• NOAAS Fairweather
• NOAAS Rainier
• NOAAS Rude
• NOAAS Thomas Jefferson
• USNS Maury and USNS Tanner
• USNS Pathfinder
• USNS Sumner
• USNS Bowditch
• USNS Henson
• USNS Bruce C. Heezen
• USNS Mary Sears
• USNS Josiah Willard Gibbs (T-AGOR-1) (1958-1971)
• Other members of the US Navy fleet with "AGS" notation