Once ready in 2019, the ship will be deployed in both Antarctica and the Arctic, and will be able to spend up to 60 days in sea-ice at any one time to let scientists gather extended observations and data. The ship will also be the first British-built polar research vessel with a helideck, will open up new locations for science and will be one of the most sophisticated floating research laboratories working at the poles.
Robotic submarines and marine gliders including the Boaty McBoatface sub-sea vehicle will collect data, images and samples relating to ocean conditions and marine biology and deliver it to scientists working in the ship’s onboard laboratories. Airborne robots and onboard environmental monitoring systems will provide detailed information on the surrounding polar environment.the ship is 128 metres long –
it weighs 15,000 gross tonnes
it has 900 cubic metres of space for scientific cargo
it will have 30 crew and 60 scientists and support staff