A GREAT BRITISH POLAR EXPLORER EMERGING TECHNOLOGY

The rapid melting of polar ice caps could have catastrophic consequences for oceans across the globe. To understand the role that the polar oceans play in our changing world, Britain is debuting the RRS Sir – one of the most advanced polar research vessels in the world, which will operate in some of the most remote and inhospitable regions on Earth. Science writer Sarah Griffiths discovered the ship’s impressive features.

vessel’s ability to support science most engineering challenges. with additional snow cover, in extreme environments. Engineers working on the at a minimum speed of three It includes instruments and ship, together with scientists knots. It will do this by using a laboratories that will enable from BAS and UK universities, clever arrangement of powerful scientists to study the ocean, had to design a ship that engines and its specially-shaped seafloor and atmosphere. When makes minimal underwater hull. The shape of the vessel’s it becomes operational in 2019, radiated noise (URN) while silent hull is developed from the ship will be capable of producing extreme force other icebreakers designed by spending 60 days at sea without when breaking ice and cutting Rolls-Royce, and is informed resupply over a range of 35,000 through towering ocean by the company’s experience kilometres. It will also be able to waves to achieve its missions, gained from designing more deploy, operate and control a all while carrying supplies. than 1,000 fishing, seismic range of remote-piloted, state- While icebreaking is of vital research and offshore vessels. of-the-art robotic technologies. importance to the ship, it is only Engineers used advanced Commissioned by the UK’s part of its operating profile; the computer modelling techniques National Environmental must behave predictably and multiple model tests to Council (NERC), built by Cammell and be fuel efficient in all come up with the hull shape, Laird to a Rolls-Royce design and operating modes during a year which is a refinement of the operated by the British Antarctic of operation. typically flat bow. However, Survey (BAS), it is the result of a When it comes to it is not too flat, as the flatter £200 million investment from icebreaking, the RRS Sir David the bow, the higher the risk of the UK government. The polar Attenborough can cut through ‘slamming’, the term used to The new RRS Sir David Attenborough can break through ice and is designed to enable scientific investigations in some of the most remote and inhospitable ship will operate throughout ice up to 1.5 thick describe the juddering crash regions in the world © Rolls-Royce Attempts to understand and the year, supporting an Arctic respond to the challenges of research cruise in the northern change depend on VITAL STATISTICS summer and carrying out • Length: 129 metres; beam: 24 metres; weight: 15,000 gross improving our understanding research programmes and tonnes of the processes involved. The transporting people and • Scientific cargo volume of approximately 900 cubic metres climate research community supplies to BAS research stations • Endurance: up to 60 days (Polar regions) in the UK now has a new tool, in during the austral • Range: 19,000 nautical at 13 knots (24 kilometres an the Royal Research Ship (RRS) summer. hour) cruising speed – more than enough for a return trip from Sir David Attenborough, which England to Rothera Research Station on the Antarctic Peninsula, A GREAT BRITISH will replace two ageing polar or to circle the entire Antarctic continent twice! research ships and enable world- SPECIALLY-SHAPED • Ice breaking capability: up to 1 thick at 3 knots (5.6 leading research in Antarctica HULL kilometres an hour) and the Arctic for the next The combination of • Bow and stern thrusters for excellent dynamic positioning in 25 years. Like many ‘scientific untraditional requirements challenging conditions instruments’, this 129-metre- and multifunctionality of polar • Launch and recovery of aerial and ocean robotic systems long vessel pushed maritime research vessels makes the RRS POLAR EXPLORER • Crew: approximately 30 engineering to its limits, in Sir David Attenborough’s hull • Accommodation for up to 60 scientists and support staff a design that optimises the special, but also created the

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Engineers have designed the ship’s hull so that it breaks the ice by pushing it down and shoving as much as possible below and to the side of the unbroken ice sheet. By doing this, less ice will follow the water flow at the bottom of the vessel and end up in the propellers, which creates noise, power peaks and loss in thrust, as well as in the broken channel behind the vessel. This area should be as open as possible to allow towing of equipment for scientific work and reversing if necessary. The underwater design of the aftship, which houses the two large propellers, is also designed for maximum strength and to allow ice to flow behind the ship without risk of it jamming between the specially designed twin ‘skegs’ (the tapering after the keel) © Rolls-Royce when a hull that has risen computational fluid dynamics onboard, which provide the the transmission of noise into upwards as it moves through a (CFD) study that looked at mechanical propulsion to push the hull. The RRS Sir David wave falls back into the water – underwater analysis for different the ship through the ice. Two Attenborough also has two Rolls- The RRS Sir David Attenborough is the first British polar research ship to have a moon pool – its location on the ship is indicated by the orange coloured it is noisy, slows the ship down sea states and at various speeds of them are nine cylinder and Royce five-bladed controllable squares on the image above. A watertight, hydraulically-operated single leaf door secures the moon pool, and opens to leave a four metre by four metre and can even damage the through the water. As a result, two six cylinder, which together pitch propellers, which form part clear space through to the bottom of the ship. The trolley arrangement that is used to guide equipment into the ocean can be seen just above the coloured structure. connections were carefully produce 18 megawatts of energy of a Rolls-Royce Promas unit. box on the top image © Rolls-Royce Both the water flow around welded and smoothed to avoid to drive two propeller shafts. This unit integrates the propeller will each provide a peak output through the vessel so it is open there are a further two rails at . The AUVs include the hull and the airflow over vortexes so that bubbles will Propellers and the main with a hubcap, rubber bulb of 2750 kilowatts, as well as at deck level and the sea at the the aft end of the trunk itself the long-range autosub named the structure were computer not interfere with scientific engine are normally the biggest and a special rudder profile to fulfilling a blackout prevention hull. Moon pools are becoming that give greater stability to Boaty McBoatface as a result of modelled in detail to understand transducers and sensors fitted source of noise, so engineers provide very high steering forces function in the event that a more common feature on deployed equipment. a public vote. Despite being a how the shape would interact on the hull. The team developed designed both the foundations and minimise drag and noise. the running generator trips research vessels as they enable third the weight of older models with its environment. This bow and bottom shapes that and the ship structure to reduce The ship uses variable valve off the switchboard. This will the ships to operate in more sea Autosub3 and Autosub6000, was important from the ship’s will lead bubbles away from the the noise and vibration levels timing, an intelligent system enable more efficient use of states, including ice flows, where MARINE ROBOTICS Boaty can travel for more than running prospective and also sensors, known as ‘sweep-down’. in a wide frequency range, that responds to load, to ensure the generators by providing previously submarines and During its polar missions, the 10 times the distance and stay for the scientific measurements. enabling the vessel to meet the engines always receive the safety backup that would other instruments could not be RRS Sir David Attenborough in the water for longer. The key The generation of bubbles from the strictest noise and vibration the ideal amount of air for otherwise require running a deployed over the side of ships. will deploy a new generation to this performance is efficient the hull’s movement through QUIETER ENGINES levels possible. Engineers used maximum responsiveness and second generator. The moon pool’s purpose is of autonomous and remotely propulsion at a slow speed and the water and how they flow One of the key challenges of finite element method (FEM) efficiency. Running at a fixed The vessel has two to allow scientific equipment to operated vehicles. Its ocean by keeping tight control of the around the hull’s surface could designing the ship was to make analysis when developing the speed of 720rpm, they use low completely separate engine be deployed and recovered at gliders and submersible vehicles power used by the AUV sensors have a significant negative effect it powerful enough to break ice, critical steel structure, which sulphur fuel and have good rooms with duplicated systems the most stable part of the hull, will enable scientists to access and control systems. This is on acoustic . Extremely but also enable ‘silent running’ ensures the lowest impact on fuel efficiency. They are also in each, which should provide which is easier and safer than real-time data efficiently, which possible thanks to improved low underwater radiated noise for environmental monitoring the sensitive sealife and the fitted with selective catalytic resilience in the event of an deploying submarines over the optimises use of time and microprocessors, which have is essential to avoid interference and to not have a detrimental best comfort for the crew and reduction systems, which are issue in one engine room. It also side in rough seas. There is a research resources. Data from ample processing power but use with survey equipment and to impact on its surroundings. scientists onboard. The nine integrated into the electronic increases efficiency as it will be cursor, or trolley arrangement, these deployments will shed very little energy. minimise disturbance to marine Since the Industrial Revolution, cylinder engines are designed engine management system possible to power down some that guides the equipment as it new light on what happens The autonomous unmanned mammals or fish distribution. our oceans have become with a rigid cast iron block with and monitor and control all key systems in one engine room passes through the pool, which when ocean water melts yellow submarine can travel This meant that it was important around 100 times louder, which significantly reduced vibration engine functions and exhaust while running normally on has a hydraulically operating, Antarctic ice shelves, and how under ice and reach depths for engineers to find the best is of concern to conservationists levels. They are ‘double resilient after treatment. the other. rotating latching mechanism this may influence future sea- of 6,000 metres with a location for underwater acoustic who believe vessel noise can mounted’ to dampen out and The engines provide electric that will accurately position level rise. 6,000-kilometre range, allowing equipment, while antennas and have a devastating impact on reduce the transfer of noise to power generation onboard loads as they pass through the The ship’s autonomous it to collect data from locations meteorological sensors needed already struggling species such the vessel’s hull and then into to reduce the vessel’s fuel A POLAR moon pool trunk. To do this, underwater vehicles (AUVs) that may be dangerous or to be in a place where they as whales. The ship must also be the surrounding sea. consumption, emissions, RESEARCH FIRST there are two full height rails at have been developed and built impossible for humans to will have an undisturbed flow quiet so not to have a damaging All engine connections noise and vibration, as well as The RRS Sir David Attenborough the forward end of the moon by the Marine Autonomous reach. Using sensors, it can and would not be polluted by effect on scientists’ research. and other noise-generating increasing redundancy and is the first British polar research pool for most equipment. Robotic Systems Group, which measure ocean and exhaust or ventilation outlets. To The RRS Sir David machinery onboard, such as consequently safety. Two energy ship to feature a moon pool However, for equipment that is part of the National Marine properties, such as: conductivity; do this, Rolls-Royce engineers Attenborough has four Rolls- pumps and compressors, are storage units are connected to – a vertical shaft measuring requires greater support, Facilities based at the National temperature and depth; ocean carried out a comprehensive Royce Bergen B33:45 engines via flexibles to further prevent the main switchboard, which 11 metres high that runs because of its size or positioning, Oceanography Centre (NOC) in turbulence with a micro-

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which are then transmitted back which gives scientists fine ENVIRONMENTAL CREDENTIALS to the ship. detail over a wide area. They The RRS Sir David Attenborough has to conform to stringent While AUVs are propeller are good at mapping the environmental regulations that are part of the International driven, gliders use an position of oceanic fronts, Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Polar Code, including the MARPOL expandable oil-filled bladder to plotting the change in the convention, which is designed to prevent the pollution of the change their buoyancy, enabling thermocline where the surface marine environment by ships, whether by accident or during them to move vertically in the water meets the deep oceanic routine operations. water. As liquid is pumped in or water and many other slowly Engines: Four main engines are configured to operate efficiently out of the bladder, the volume changing features that are across the wide range of conditions that the vessel is likely to of the glider changes while its important in the calculations encounter. A smaller harbour generator is also installed to allow the mass remains the same. The behind oceanic global vessel to operate when in port without the main engines idling. movement of internal weights warming models. Batteries: It has electrical systems with five megawatts of peak back and forth enables a glider effective battery capacity. Batteries reduce the vessel’s fuel to angle itself to dive or climb in consumption, emissions, noise and vibration, as well as increasing the water and it has an inbuilt READY FOR THE SEA redundancy and, consequently, safety. compass, which it uses to steer a In early July 2018, the ship was Oil: An oily bilge water separator, consisting of a high-speed course. The gliders move slowly, launched for the first time into centrifuge, will reduce the oil content of the bilge water discharged. at less than 1 mph, but can the River Mersey from Cammell Sewage: Two sewage treatment plants treat black water maintain this speed for months Laird’s shipyard in Birkenhead, (sewage) and grey water (other domestic wastewater) to meet on end. The slow and gentle by its namesake Sir David the discharge standards required by MARPOL and the US Coast way a glider flies enables it to Attenborough. Highlighting Guard. In areas such as the Antarctic, where zero discharge of measure from 1,000 metres to the importance of the research sewage is permitted, holding tanks capable of storing waste for within a couple of metres of the ship and the role it is expected 45 days are provided. surface, without disturbing the to play in positioning the UK Ballast water treatment: The onboard ballast water system has structure of what it is measuring. at the forefront of climate Boaty McBoatface is one of several autonomous unmanned vehicles onboard the RRS Sir David Attenborough. Robotic submarines and marine gliders will an approved treatment plant following the IMO’s International collect data on ocean conditions and marine biology and deliver it to scientists working in the ship’s onboard laboratories © National Oceanography Centre While the glider technology science, Sir David said: “This Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast has been around for about 20 ship is going to be key to the structure probe; the amount of to the scientists via a satellite navigation. By travelling each kilometre travelled are Water and Sediments. It controls the transfer of harmful aquatic years, modern gliders carry a future salvage of our planet phytoplankton in the water by data link. underneath floating ice shelves, achievable. Navigation accuracy organisms and pathogens through the ship’s ballast water system payload of modern scientific or at least its preservation.” measuring the fluorescence of Boaty’s first under-ice mission the AUV has the potential to aid is critical to many survey into the ocean. sensors. A glider’s great Using its technical abilities their chlorophyll; and turbidity was beneath the Filchner Ice investigations about rapid and missions, so the Protection from marine growth: The ship’s hull is coated with strength is its ability to build and sophisticated instruments, (cloudiness or haziness). Shelf in West Antarctica, which sudden ice mass loss. NOC is researching and a non-toxic paint system that provides a hard, impermeable up a picture of the structure let’s hope it helps preserve Acoustic instruments measure is the second largest of its type Accurate navigation is a developing techniques to coating that, along with manual removal of fouling at an early of the ocean in both space the Earth’s polar regions for the water current up to 80 in the world. The sub spent challenge for an AUV. At the sea improve upon this performance. stage, offers longlasting protection without the use of chemicals. and time, called 4D sampling, generations to come. metres above and below Boaty’s a total of 51 hours under the surface, they can be positioned Boaty has one drawback: while Furthermore, the internal seawater systems are protected by position, as well as the depth of Antarctic ice, travelling 108 using GPS, but satellite signals it can track geographic features an electro-chlorination unit that uses sodium chloride and an BIOGRAPHIES the seabed and the draft of the kilometres over the duration of cannot penetrate the top few and stay a certain distance from electrolyser to generate sodium hypochlorite. This chemical Einar Vegsund is Vice-President Design and Hydro at Rolls- ice along the vehicle’s track. the deployment and plunging millimetres of the ocean. They the sea floor, it cannot avoid prevents growth of marine organisms in the ship’s cooling Royce – Marine. He has been with Rolls-Royce for 24 years and Before launch from a to depths of 944 metres. It spent rely on an approach known unexpected obstacles. systems. has held leading roles in the Rolls-Royce Ship Design & Systems research ship, scientists program 20 hours exploring beneath as dead reckoning: the AUVs The ship does not have ocean Noise: For underwater radiated noise, the vessel has been team since 2002. the AUV’s computers with a section of the ice shelf that bounce sound off the seabed gliders of its own, but will deploy designed to achieve a DNV-GL Silent (R) notation during surveys Lars Alv Haugen is a contract manager for Rolls-Royce – instructions of where to go, what was 550 metres thick. It was a and can measure their speed those owned by institutions or at speeds up to and including 11 knots, and a DNV-GL Silent (S) Marine, with responsibility for coordination of the installation to measure and what depths challenging deployment for the relative to it by measuring the borrowed from the National notation while towing seismic equipment at 6 to 8 knots in calm and commissioning of all Rolls-Royce equipment. He has been to go to. With no link to the autosub, with sea temperatures Doppler shift of the echoes. Marine Equipment Pool at the seas, preventing noise pollution that could otherwise negatively with Rolls-Royce since 2004, following senior engineering roles mothership, all communications very close to the freezing point The AUV must also accurately NOC. Despite this, gliders are impact polar wildlife as well as science experiments. at ABB and Teekay Shipping. with the AUV use acoustics while of seawater beneath ice shelves, sense its heading, using a fibre a key scientific instrument for Green passport: This facilitates the application of the IMO it is underwater (with a typical where there are significant tidal optic gyro-based sensor to the ship, as they can be used Guidelines on Ship Recycling. This document is produced by the On 30 October 2018, Tim Stockings, Operations Director at the British range of a few kilometres). currents and the high southerly give accuracy of better than to measure oceanographic shipyard at the construction stage and contains an inventory of all Antarctic Survey, will be giving a talk at the Royal Academy of Engineering However, Boaty periodically latitudes posed difficulties 0.1 degrees. Overall, accuracies parameters such as chlorophyll materials used in the construction of the ship. titled Extreme Engineering: Antarctica. For more information and to book surfaces and transmits data back for the AUV’s underwater of about one metre error for levels, temperature and salinity, tickets, please visit www.raeng.org.uk/events

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