Ireland's new research vessel to honour explorer Tom Crean
Tom Crean will enable 300 operational days at sea each year (Source: Marine Institute)
Spanish yard Astilleros Armon is currently constructing a state-of-the-art multi-purpose marine research vessel for the Irish Republic. The new oceanographic vessel, costing 22.5 million euros, will be named RV Tom Crean honouring the Irish expl Tom Crean. The vessel is designed by the Norwegian marine architects Skipsteknisk and will be 52m long. Delivery is scheduled for 2022.
The new vessel will replace the RV Celtic Voyager and will be an addition to Ireland's largest research ship, the RV Celtic Explorer. It will be based in Galway Harbour.
The Marine Institute of Ireland believes that the vessel will be key to addressing some of the future research challenges off the coast of Ireland. One of its areas of activity will be the conservation, management and rebuilding of fish stocks. It will also greatly enhance the institute's research and data collection activities in areas such as marine biodiversity, marine planning and ocean observation and monitoring.
