RV Atair
German research and survey ship
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
RV Atair is a research vessel owned and operated by the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency of Germany (BSH). She entered service in 2021 and replaces a 1987-built research vessel also named Atair. [1]
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Atair conducting sea trials in June 2020 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Germany | |
| Name | RV Atair |
| Owner | Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency of Germany |
| Operator | Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency of Germany |
| Port of registry |  Germany |
| Builder | Fassmer Werft and German Naval Yards |
| Cost | €113.8 million |
| Laid down | December 2017 |
| Launched | February 2019 |
| In service | April 2021 |
| Home port | Hamburg |
| Identification | IMO number: 9835496 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Research vessel |
| Length | 75 m (246 ft) |
| Beam | 16.8 m (55 ft) |
| Draft | 5 m (16 ft) |
| Installed power | Wärtsilä dual fuel |
| Speed | 13 knots (24 km/h) |
| Crew |
|
History
BSH issued a request for proposals for a new research vessel in October 2014, and completed design work for the ship early in 2015.[2] The ship was originally planned to have a cost of about €80 million and enter service late in the decade.[2] The €113.8 million contract for overall engineering and construction of the ship was awarded to Kongsberg.[3] Construction of Atair was sub-contracted to two German shipyards—Fassmer Werft and German Naval Yards (GNY).[4] Construction began in December 2017,[5] and the hull and superstructure were launched at German Naval Yards in February 2019.[4] Following some fitting out work, including the installation of the main powerplants, Atair was transported to Fassmer Werft the following month to be completed.[4] Sea trials began in late 2019 and continued through September 2020 ahead of the expected delivery of Atair late in 2020.[4][6][7] Upon her entry into service for BSH, which will own and operate Atair, she will replace the 1987-built Atair and operate primarily in the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, and the North Atlantic Ocean.[6][3]
Design
Atair measures 75 metres (246 ft) long, 16.8 metres (55 ft) wide, and has a draft of 5 metres (16 ft).[4] She is powered by three Wärtsilä engines, two of which are LNG-capable, that give her a service speed of up to 13 knots (24 km/h) through a single propeller.[4] Atair is the first research vessel in the world to have an LNG-fueled propulsion system.[2] The crew complement is 18 sailors, with accommodations for up to 15 researchers.[3] Scientific facilities on board include several types of sonar, laboratories, rigging to support the deployment of off-vessel equipment, and deck space to house additional temporary equipment.[3]
