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Identification
Hosting Legal Entity
National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics
Address:
Borgo Grotta Gigante 42/c, Istituto Nazionale di Oceanogafia e di Geofisica sperimentale, Trieste, PO: 34010 (Italy)
Location
Borgo Grotta Gigante 42/c, Istituto Nazionale di Oceanogafia e di Geofisica sperimentale, Trieste, PO: 34010 (Italy)
Structure
Type Of RI
Mobile
Coordinating Country
Italy
Status
Status
Current Status:
Operational since 1989
Scientific Description
The RV OGS Explora is an ice-class, ocean-going research vessel owned by the OGS, Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e Geofisica Sperimentale (National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics), since 1989.The ship offers to both the European and the international earth and marine science communities a wide range of capabilities, including geophysical, marine geology and oceanographic facilities and equipment.This 72m-long ship can safely operate all the year round either in ocean and polar waters, except in the ice-covered areas. It can currently accommodate 12 scientists (a refit is under planning to bring the scientific crew to18), has a crew of 17, and is capable of 30-day missions. Among her numerous worldwide activities, noteworthy are the ten Antarctic cruises funded by the Italian Antarctic Program and the two Arctic cruises, one of which within the framework of the International Polar Year (IPY).Apart from research, the OGS Explora is currently involved in service activities for offshore industry, specifically in the cable, pipeline and well site surveys.

RI Keywords
Offshore surveys, Seismic, Oceanography, Research vessel, Marine Research, Geology
Classifications
RI Category
Marine & Maritime Engineering Facilities
Earth, Ocean, Marine, Freshwater, and Atmosphere Data Centres
Scientific Domain
Engineering and Energy
Earth and Environmental Sciences
Services
Offshore surveys, for research and industry

Bathymetry, shallow and deep penetrations seismics, Side Scan Sonar, coring, geotechnical sampling, water column measurements, ADCP, moorings, biological sampling, service do buoys, floats, drifters. Shallow water and open ocean environments, including polar areas.

Equipment
Gravimetry and magnetometry

Potential Gravity Meter KSS 31 Bodenseewerk -Lacoste & Romberg (port station) Geomagnetic Gradiometer SEA SPY.

Subbottom profiling

Sub Bottom Profiler Benthos CAP-6600 – 16 transducers hull mounted : sweep 2-7 khz CAP-6600 Chirp II WorkstationGP Communication Technology SwanPro.

Winches and controls

Hydraulic winch OLEO MEC suitable for SSS Static pull 7,2 tons Min speed 1.96 m/s 5.800 m standard coaxial cable 11,4 mm Hydraulic winch OLEO MEC suitable for Coring operation Wire 14,0 mm. mt. 2400,Static pull 4,2 tonn.,Min speed 1,70 m/s “free-fall” Control station on boat deck Remote control winches (coring-SVP) monitor load cell monitor CC cam Frame and lift equipment: A-Frame – SWL 20 ton 1 side frame starboard - equipped with winch (2*50m wire 18mm) 1 side frame port - equipped with winch (2*50m wire 18mm) Crane Heila – SWL 6400 kg USBL pole (with joint flange).

Positioning and Navigation

GPS Aquarius THALES DGPS Veripos LD3 decoder (service on demand) Motion Reference Unit – IXSEA OCTANS – MBES interfaced Gyrocompass – IXSEA OCTANS – MBES Interfaced PDS2000 Navigation Software – Navigation system can be interfaced to seismic acquisition system (SPECTRA string is available, fire command via RS232 converted to TTL).

Morphobathimetry

MBES Reson Seabat 8111 - 101 beams, MAX SWATH = 150º (150m water depth, 7.5*WaterDepth), MAX RANGE = 1400m, freq = 100 kHz, hull mounted. MBES Reson Seabat 8150 - 234 beams, MAX SWATH = 150º (6000m water depth, 7.5*WaterDepth), MAX RANGE = 15.000, freq = 12 kHz, hull mounted. SBES Simrad EA-600. Freq = 18 kHz, hull mounted. Sound Velocity Probe – Reson SVP 25 Sound Velocity Probe – Valeport MIDAS.

Oceanographic Equipment

Hull mounted RDI OS 75 KHZ Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) SBE21 thermosalinograph.

Seismics

Digital streamer, 300 m Gun Controller RTS Big Shot – 16 channels4 GI Guns – arranged in a 2m x 2m array, total volume 19,2 liters Mobile scientific equipment on request: MK21 Expendable Bathy Thermograph 16 Sleeve guns for a total volume of 37 litres (2360 cu inch) 3000 m long digital streamer interfaced to a Sercel Seal recording system.

Sediment Sampling

Gravity corer (head 1.2 tons). Operation monitored by load cell controller Van Veen (max. core length 5 m).

Collaborations
Networks
Eurofleets (FP7)
Date of last update: 01/06/2017
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