RRS Sir David RRS Sir David Attenborough Attenborough Biological sampling nets for ecosystems and A new polar research ship for Britain biodiversity research RRS Sir David Attenborough In 2021 will be ready for service. Commissioned by NERC, built by Cammell Laird and A new polar operated by the British Antarctic Survey, the new ship Clean air and aerosol research ship is a next-generation polar marine science platform sampling technology for Britain for UK research in both Antarctica and the Arctic. State-of-the-art onboard facilities and future-proof Science in polar environments containerised laboratories RRS Sir David Attenborough, with its wide range of on this world-leading specialist laboratories, facilities and instruments, will science platform will offer be capable of supporting scientists from many different new research opportunities areas of expertise. These multi-disciplinary research for the UK’s polar scientists cruises will generate new knowledge and understanding who strive to make sense about the societal implications of environmental change of our changing world for from the atmosphere to the sea bed. the benefit of society. Understanding our world The new ship will New technologies and techniques are revolutionising ensure Britain’s continued ship-based research. Remotely-operated vehicles go position as a world leader under the polar ice to capture data that sheds new light in polar science. on possible implications of rapid and sudden ice mass loss. Sophisticated instruments and equipment capture important data to reveal the impact of environmental change on marine biodiversity. Polar Science UK science in Operational capability Antarctica RRS Sir David Attenborough for Planet Earth RRS Sir David can spend up to 60 days at Attenborough sea unsupported. Her ice- plays an important strengthened hull is designed diplomatic role for to break through ice up to Echo-sounding Multi-corer seabed the UK, providing 1m thick. Operating year- equipment for biological sediment sampler a continuing round, the ship will be and geophysical with onboard presence in deployed to the Arctic investigations multi-sensor analysis British Antarctic Territory, South Georgia and the during the northern summer South Sandwich Islands, and the South Atlantic. and to the Antarctic during the austral summer. RRS Sir David www.bas.ac.uk/attenborough Attenborough OPERATION SCIENCE RRS Sir David Attenborough Crew (approx) Scientists and support staff 30 60 Handling systems will cover Launch and recovery of aerial Remotely piloted CONSTRUCTION a wide range of tasks, and marine robotic systems science instruments for Minimising our environmental impact including sub-sea acoustic deep-ocean and Cammell Laird engineers and apprentices surveys and towing of under-ice data capture RRS Sir David Attenborough will conform to scientific equipment with up stringent environmental regulations in the to 12,000m of wire International Maritime Organisation’s Polar Code. With greater fuel efficiency and its ability to deploy remotely operated and robotic 220 technologies, the ship is expected to reduce the 220 environmental impact of ship-borne science and Intelligent instruments save in operating costs over its 25-year lifespan. and marine robotics Programme timeline November 2015 Contract signed October 2016 Keel laid March 2017 Stern thrusters fitted June 2017 Rolls Royce propulsion motors fitted July 2018 Hull in the water ceremony Autumn 2019 Ceremonial naming Autumn 2020 Sea trials (including to Spring 2021 engineering and science trials) Autumn 2021 Ship into service 4.5m CP propellers in a Promas installation driven by two independent motors on Fast facts each shaft Length: 128 metres; beam: 24 metres; Diesel-electric weight: 15,000 gross tonnes; draft 7 metres propulsion system powered by Bergen B33:45 engines Scientific cargo volume: approximately 900m³ (two nine-cylinder and two Endurance: up to 60 days six-cylinder engines) (Polar Regions) Open aft deck for cargo and scientific Bridge, officer and crew cabins, helicopter hangar, aerosol lab Range: 19,000 nautical operations: four cranes, stern gantry 51 and space for lab containers and doctor’s surgery miles at 13 knots Engines are designed to run as silently as possible, (24km/h) cruising speed 60 61 50 and special attention is given Accurate dynamic positioning Extremely low underwater Ice breaking capability: to minimising sweep-down Scientific moon pool to system to keep the ship in radiated noise to avoid up to 1m thick at 3 knots of bubbles around the hull deploy and recover place during instrument interference with survey deployment using Tees White equipment or disturbance (5.6km/h) 10 20 30 40 that could interfere with instruments including acoustic instruments ‘Boaty’ submersible Gill bow and aft thrusters to marine wildlife Cargo and fuel stores, steering gears, Engines and hybrid battery banks, Bow thrusters, anchors stern thrusters and propellers machinery space and moon pool and mooring equipment Cabins for scientists, scientific hangar and laboratory and office spaces; www.bas.ac.uk/attenborough Laundry facilities and social areas including the mess, bar, and gym.