RV Song of the Whale
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| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | Song of the Whale |
| Owner | Marine Conservation Research International |
| Operator | Marine Conservation Research Ltd |
| Port of registry | London |
| Builder | Blondecell Ltd, Cracknore Hard, Marchwood, Southampton, UK. |
| Launched | 6 June 2004 |
| Christened | 6 June 2004 |
| Home port | Ipswich, United Kingdom |
| Identification | MMSI number: 235007200 |
| Status | in service |
| Notes | [1] |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Research vessel |
| Tonnage | 52 GT |
| Length | 21.53 m |
| Beam | 5.6 m |
| Height | 33 m (air draught) |
| Draught | 3 m |
| Propulsion | Yanmar 6LYA-STP 370 hp Single shaft; fixed pitch propeller; single bow thruster |
| Sail plan | cutter |
| Speed | 6.5 knots (12.0 km/h; 7.5 mph) |
| Range | 1500 nm |
| Endurance | 30+ days= |
| Complement | 12 (Crew and Scientific Personnel) |
RV Song of the Whale is a research vessel owned by Marine Conservation Research International and operated by Marine Conservation Research Ltd. The 70-foot vessel was designed specifically to carry out research on cetaceans (and other marine fauna) using benign research techniques such as passive acoustic monitoring.
Song of the Whale is a cutter-rigged steel-hulled research vessel commissioned by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and built in 2004. The vessel was designed by Rogers Yacht Design of Lymington and built to Lloyd's Special Service Craft Rules for world-wide service – the first sailing vessel to meet those standards for 30 years.[2] Ordered from Blondecell Ltd, the subcontracted steel hull was fabricated by Corus Steel and assembled by Riverside Fabrication at Falmouth, Cornwall. The addition of the composite superstructure and the full outfitting was carried out at Blondecell's facility at Cracknore Hard, Marchwood, Hampshire.[3] The vessel cost £1.5 million.[2]
The design minimises acoustic emissions to facilitate the benign research techniques favoured by her former owners IFAW and the engine-room is encased in a Faraday cage to contain electrical fields.[4][5][6] The outfit of Song of the Whale includes the latest computerised recording and tracking devices to ensure that best and most advanced acoustic research can be carried out. To assist physical observation, there is a two-person crow's nest.[2]
The new vessel was launched in St Katharine Docks, London, on 6 June 2004 by Pierce and Keely Brosnan.[2][6][7]
