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R/V IMOR

 

The research vessel R/V IMOR was put into operation in February 2006, being the first Polish vessel designed for research in the coastal zone and shallow estuarine waters as a ‘floating marine laboratory serving the needs of the energy and maritime industries’.

The construction of the ship was co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund within the framework of the Sectoral Operational Programme Improvement of the Competitiveness of Enterprises (within Sub-Measure 1.4.2 of the SOP-ICE). She started her work with geophysical research in Gdańsk Bay. The first months of surveys confirmed her high efficiency and excellent manoeuvrability.

Currently, the main task of the vessel is to conduct pre-investment surveys in the Baltic Sea, monitor the Polish coastal zone, and carry out work supporting the estimation of sources to be used in artificial beach nourishment. The design of the ship allows for the implementation of various tasks, such as:  

  • seabed surveys (for the construction of wind farms, laying of subsea cables and pipelines),

  • inventory surveys of marine mineral deposits, estimation of the volume of dredged material;

  • oceanographic studies of the water depth and sea surface, as well as studies of the near-surface layer of the atmosphere;

  • studies of the ecological impacts of various forms of human activity on the environment and biocenosis of sea areas. 

Despite its modest dimensions (32.5 meters long, 10.5 meters wide, and an average draught of approximately 2.3 meters), the vessel can navigate safely across seas and oceans. She is equipped with a 12-tonne crane and an A-frame with a lifting capacity of 3–6 tonnes. The wide superstructure, which extends almost the entire length of the hulls (except for the stern section), enabled the design of 16 comfortable rooms on the main deck, including 12 well-equipped cabins, a kitchen, a large mess room, a wet lab and a sampling room.

The ship is manned by two crews of five, working in shifts. Thanks to the way the work is organised amongst the small crew, the ship can operate 24 hours a day. This is possible thanks to two features of the ship: the full automation of both engine rooms (AUT I) and the inclusion of a DP system, which, in addition to dynamic positioning of the ship, enables the steering process to be automated.

R/V IMOR is equipped with a modern diesel-electric propulsion system. The vessel is fitted with three AC generators, which supply electricity for the main propulsion system (two propellers - azimuth thrusters) and the auxiliary propulsion system (two bow thrusters), as well as all on-board equipment including: auxiliary systems, air conditioning, navigation and measurement equipment, and crew accommodation facilities.

 

Vessel details:
ALSTOM Dynamic Positioning Class I System
Crane – WLL 120 kN (10m)
A-frame – WLL 30 kN including a winch with a capacity of 40 kN
A special well, accessible from inside the ship, designed for mounting multibeam echosounder transducers and an underwater positioning system
Space for a 20-foot container on the upper deck (for an additional laboratory/crew/ROV)
Computer laboratory with servers (a computer network covering 16 rooms) – 40 m2
80m2 aft working deck with space for 2–3 small containers of equipment

Dimensions:
Length: 32.50 m
Beam: 10.50 m
Draught (average): 2.21 m
Draught (maximum): 2.44 m
Displacement (maximum): 370 t

Range/speed:
Range: 2500 nautical miles
Economic speed: 8.0 knots
Maximum speed: 10.0 knots
Speed range: 0–10 knots
Sailing area: no restrictions for NAV I Zone
Operating time: 21 days (minimum)
Conventions met: SOLAS, COLREG, MARPOL
Water supply (fresh water generator): 22 m3 (3 m3/day)
Fuel: 39 tonnes

Research instruments:
MBES – SeaBat 8125
SBES – Navisound 100
SSS – 4200 EdgeTech, CODA 2000
USBL – Sonardyne RANGER PRO
ROV – Sea Eye 600 DT
NAV – GPS AG 132 & RTK TRIMBLE SPS 851, + DMS-05
ISP – Applanix POS-MV WaveMaster
CPT Neptune 3000
VIBRO – Vibrocorer VKG-6(3) m
Magnetometer SeaQuest, Boomer SIG ENERGY, SBP, XSTAR Ø  HYDRO – QINSy integrated navigation and hydrographic system

Navigation equipment:
Radar – BridgeMaster E ARPA 251//MS X Band Radar + UAIS FURUNO FA-100 with GPS
DGPS – FURUNO DGPS WAAS GP-90
POSITION DETERMINATION SYSTEM – QINSy PC-based software
ECHOSOUNDER – FURUNO FE-700
GYROCOMPASS – compact gyrocompass STANDARD 22 + DMS 5
Communication and safety equipment (GMDSS), Sea Area A2
VHF –SAILOR RT 4822 25W with DSC (×2)
GMDSS JOTRON TRON TR-20 for life rafts
MF/HF – SAILOR MF/HF 4000 system, 150 W, with a single-channel DSC monitoring receiver
EPIRB – JOTRON EPIRB TRON 40s
Radar Transponder – JOTRON 9 GHz Radar Transponder TRON SART
NAVTEX – McMurdo Navtex Receiver Nav5 Plus

 

CONTACT
Paweł Janowski  
phone: 607 719 951
e-mail: pjanowski@im.umg.edu.pl