R/V ALKOR is an integral part of GEOMAR’s research. The primary research fields of R/V ALKOR are oceanography, biology, fishery, geophysics, and geology. For 22 years, R/V ALKOR has been successfully used for scientific voyages. The R/V ALKOR is operated similarly to the R/V POSEIDON, although at a more regional range, and can deploy mobile systems (e.g. AUV and ROV) that require only a relatively small number of scientists and technicians onboard and which can be conducted within a one-year or shorter planning schedule. R/V ALKOR fulfills an important function as a training site for junior researchers and contributes to research and monitoring programs at national and international coastal areas. Many of the scientific results from R/V ALKOR cruises have contributed to diploma theses, dissertations and peer-reviewed scientific journals.User access to the R/V ALKOR is controlled by a tried and tested concept of applying for vessel usage time and assessment of the application by the “Medium-sized research vessels” steering committee. To apply for vessel usage time on medium-sized research vessels, there is a procedure agreed upon between the operators that allows applications to be exchanged between each of the vessels in the context of the coordination committee appointed by the KDM and the DFG Senate Commission for Oceanography. This is to ensure a comparable assessment standard for all vessels, and to optimise the usage. The chairman of the steering committee (Prof. Dr. Detlef Schulz-Bull, Institute for Baltic Research, Warnemünde) and the vessel coordinator (Dr. Klas Lackschewitz, GEOMAR Kiel) schedule approved R/V ALKOR cruises approximately one year before the deployment period starts.The current cost for the ship per diem at sea is €8,500. Cruising speed, range: 10 kn, 5000 nm. Endurance at sea: 21 days.