While we hope that Kerry souls will be downcast after next Sunday’s All-Ireland senior football final, there was a great welcome for the memory of one famous Kerry hero this week in Galway docks.
Ireland’s new state-of-the-art multi-purpose marine research vessel RV Tom Crean caused quiet a stir in the city this week when it arrived into its home port of Galway.
The State’s newest research vessel is named after the renowned seaman and explorer from Kerry who undertook three ground-breaking expeditions to the Antarctic in the early years of the 20th Century.
The vessel, which will be used by the Marine Institute and other State agencies and universities to undertake fisheries research, oceanographic and environmental research, and seabed mapping surveys, will also maintain and deploy weather buoys, observational infrastructure and Remotely Operated Vehicles.
Designed by Norwegian ship design consultants Skipsteknisk AS and built by Spanish shipyard Astilleros Armon Vigo S.A., the vessel will enable 300 operational days at sea each year, and up to 3000 scientist days per year.
The new vessel will also enable the Marine Institute to continue to lead and support scientific, high quality surveys that contribute to Ireland’s position as a leader in marine science.
The research vessel is a modern, multipurpose, silent vessel (designed to meet the stringent criteria of the ICES 209 noise standard for fisheries research ), capable of operating in the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ ).
The new vessel will be able to go to sea for at least 21 days at a time and will be designed to operate in harsh sea conditions.
The RV Tom Crean which will be based in Galway after its commissioning will enable the Marine Institute to continue to lead and support vital scientific surveys that contribute to Ireland’s position as a leader in marine science.
The research vessel will carry out a wide range of marine research activities including expanded fisheries surveys, seabed mapping and marine spatial planning, climate change related research, environmental monitoring, deep water surveys, and support increased research in the Atlantic Ocean.
Dr Paul Connolly, CEO of the Marine Institute speaking about the vessel’s arrival into Irish Waters said: “This has been an extremely successful project with the vessel arriving on budget and on time into Irish Shores.
“We are delighted that Galway, is the vessel’s first stop in Irish waters ahead of its official launch and commissioning due to take place in Dingle, Kerry in Autumn.
“The new vessel will be used by the Marine Institute, other state agencies and universities to undertake critical work to support fisheries assessment, offshore renewable energy, marine spatial planning, marine protected areas and addressing the challenges of climate change.
“After the official commissioning, the RV Tom Crean will be based in Galway, and it will greatly enhance our capacity to undertake collaborative research and acquire the data and knowledge essential to sustainably manage our ocean resources,” he said.
