RRS Ernest Shackleton |
|
| Career (UK) |  |
|---|---|
| Class and type: | Royal Research Ship DnV +1A1 Icebreaker Ice 05 EO Helidk ICS Dynpos-Autr W1 (Research/Survey/Cargo) |
| Named after: | Ernest Shackleton |
| Builder: | Kverner Klevin Leirvik A/S, Norway |
| Laid down: | |
| Launched: | 1995 as the MV Polar Queen |
| Status: | in service |
| Homeport: | Stanley, Falkland Islands |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 4,028 tonnes (Gross) 5,455 tonnes (loaded) |
| Length: | 80.0 m |
| Beam: | 17.0 m |
| Draught: | 6.15 m |
| Propulsion: | 2 x Bergen Diesel BRM 6 each 2550 kW |
| Speed: | 11 knots (max: 14) |
| Range: | 40,000 nautical miles |
| Endurance: | 130 days |
| Complement: | 72 including crew |
| Notes: | [1][2][3] |
RRS Ernest Shackleton is a Royal Research Ship operated by the British Antarctic Survey. She is primarily a logistics ship used for the resupply of scientific stations in the Antarctic.
Contents |
History
Launched in 1995 as MV Polar Queen for GC Rieber Shipping AS, she was operated in the Antarctic by other national programmes. The British Antarctic Survey acquired her on a long-term bareboat charter in August 1999 and renamed her RRS Ernest Shackleton after the British polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton.[4] She replaced the RRS Bransfield.
Construction
RRS Ernest Shackleton is ice strengthened with a double hull construction and is capable of a wide range of logistic tasks as well as having a scientific capability. She has a cargo tender "Tula" on deck for ship to shore transfer of equipment when the ship cannot berth alongside.[4]
Service
RRS Ernest Shackleton is primarily a logistic ship, used for the resupply of the Survey's Antarctic research stations. She loads cargo and science equipment in the Humber and sails to the Antarctic in September/October each year, returning in May/June. After annual refit/drydock, Ernest Shackleton is chartered for commercial survey work for the northern summer.[5]
See also
- RRS James Clark Ross, another British Antarctic Survey Royal Research Ship.
Footnotes
- ^ Technical Data - RRS Ernest Shackleton. British Antarctic Survey. Retrieved on 2007-08-20.
- ^ BAS Public Information Leaflet - Ships. British Antarctic Survey. Retrieved on 2007-11-24.
- ^ Mike Gloistein. RRS Ernest Shackleton. Retrieved on 2007-11-24.
- ^ a b RRS Ernest Shackleton. British Antarctic Survey. Retrieved on 2007-08-30.
- ^ BAS Research Ships. BAS. Retrieved on 2007-08-30.
External links
- Image of RRS Ernest Shackleton on the British Antarctic Survey website.
- Ship's current position
