Damen lands contract to fit out REV Ocean

Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen (DSV) has signed a deal with Rossellini’s Four-10 to fit out the interior and exterior spaces of the research and expedition vessel, REV Ocean. The 194m-long vessel is intended to undertake research covering the entire marine ecosystem – from coastal waters to deep oceans, and from cold polar regions to the hot tropics. 

The work, which will be carried out in DSV’s covered drydock, will include the installation of laboratories with equipment to preserve, analyse and store specimens at sea, and acoustic sensors to survey biological communities in the water column and map the seabed. The vessel will be fitted with a conference centre, meeting rooms, an exhibition space, a 35-seat auditorium, and a media editing suite for videography and documentaries.

Other features will include five hangar gantry cranes, pelagic trawling equipment, and a monopool to provide sheltered access to water in different conditions. A three-person deep-diving acrylic submarine, DSV Aurelia, said to be capable of the world’s deepest dives, will enable subsea exploration at depths down to 2,200 metres.

Additionally, REV Ocean will feature five hangar gantry cranes and pelagic trawling equipment. An Airbus ACH145 helicopter launched from one of the vessel’s two helipads will enable aerial surveys, passenger transits, and the transport of ship supplies.  

Project director and owner’s representative for the vessel, George Gill, commented: “With the imminent delivery of the 884-REV Ocean from the newbuild yard, we move into the next phase of REV Ocean’s journey. The owner and their team are delighted to embark on this collaboration with Damen Shiprepair at their impressive facility in Vlissingen.”