A Royal Research Ship (RRS) is a merchant navy vessel of the United Kingdom that conducts scientific research on behalf of His Majesty's Government. Before a ship can be designated as an RRS, a warrant from the monarch is required.[1]
Organisations operating Royal Research Ships include the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and the National Oceanography Centre (NOC). In the 1950s and 1960s, the ships were owned by the Admiralty and partially managed by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The current fleet comprises three active vessels operated under NERC, while a number of notable ships have been retired from service.
Relationship with the Royal Navy
In the 1950s and 1960s the Royal Research Ships of the day were owned by the Admiralty, partially managed by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), and run as ships of that fleet.
The work of the Royal Research Ship operated by the British Antarctic Survey is complemented by a Royal Navy icebreaker, currently HMS Protector, which provides science logistics support to the British Antarctic Survey.[2]
Current Royal Research Ships
All ships bear the prefix "RRS" - Royal Research Ship.
| Ship | Entered service | Displacement | Type | Owner | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RRS Sir David Attenborough | 2021 | 15,000 tonnes[3] | Research ship | Natural Environment Research Council | British Antarctic Survey |
| RRS James Cook | 2007 | 5,800 tonnes[4] | National Marine Facilities Division National Oceanography Centre | ||
| RRS Discovery | 2013 | 6,260 tonnes[5] |
Sir David Attenborough
James Cook
Discovery
Notable former Royal Research Ships
- RRS Discovery (1901)
- RRS William Scoresby (1926)
- RRS Discovery II (1929)
- RRS Shackleton (1955)
- RRS John Biscoe (1956)
- RRS Discovery (1962)
- RRS Bransfield (1970)
- RRS Charles Darwin (1985)
- RRS Ernest Shackleton (1999)
- RRS James Clark Ross (1990)
See also
References
- "£36m contract awarded for scientific research ship". NERC. 2 July 2004. Archived from the original on 8 July 2009.
- "HMS Protector". Royal Navy (British Ministry of Defence). Retrieved 7 September 2013.
- "RRS Sir David Attenborough". British Antarctic Survey (NERC). Retrieved 15 June 2021.
- "RRS James Cook". National Oceanography Centre (NOC). Retrieved 15 June 2021.
- "RRS Discovery". National Oceanography Centre (NOC). Retrieved 15 June 2021.
External links
- UK Natural Environment Research Council
- UK National Oceanography Centre, Southampton
- "British Antarctic Survey Ships". BAS. Archived from the original on 17 June 2008. Retrieved 14 October 2008.
- National Marine Facilities Division
- Inter-Agency Committee on Marine Science and Technology