Mário Ruivo

Ocean research vessel for fisheries research, oceanographic, hydrographic, geological and ROV operations

Mário Ruivo

Ocean research vessel for fisheries research, oceanographic, hydrographic, geological and ROV operations

Research Vessel

The research vessel (RV) Mário Ruivo is a multi-purpose platform that allows to conduct Atlantic Ocean research surveys, contributing to increase scientific knowledge and understanding, leading to better informed policies and improving the management of the maritime space and its resources.

She is suitable for carrying out research activities in fishing, oceanography, hydrography, geophysics, geology and biology, to support the deployment and recovery of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and operation of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) , and to support mooring deployments for the study and monitoring of the deep-sea and water column.

With 75.6 m in length and 14.8 m beam, the RV Mário Ruivo can accommodate up to 47 people, including 27 researchers. She is based in Lisbon, an excellent location for operations in the Atlantic, and can spend up to 20 consecutive days at sea.

Main Features and Equipment

Name: Mário Ruivo

Type: State Research Vessel

Port of registry: Lisbon

Flag: Portuguese

Year of construction: 1986

Identification number: 913887

IMO number: 8402010

Call sign: C S D I

Official class register number/Lloyd’s number: LR 8402010

Class: Lloyd’s Register +100 A1 Machinery + LMC

Overall length: 75.60 m

Length (LOA): 65.80 m

Beam: 14.80 m

Moulded depth: 6.60 m

Maximum draught: 4.50 m

Hull material: Steel

Gross tonnage: 2 290 ton

Net tonnage: 687 ton

Vessel’s lightweight: 1 560 ton

Generator sets: 4 x BLACKSTONE, 4 x 400 kW

Bow thruster: Gill Jet Azimuth, 700 kW

Stern tunnel: 400 kW

Dynamic position: DPO

Adapted to provide support to the operation of ROVs and AUVs, namely the ROV Luso, property of the Portuguese Task Group for the Extension of the Continental Shelf (EMEPC).

History

Built in 1986 as a support vessel of the Royal Navy, she was initially designated as Salmaid. Later, she was acquired by the Scottish company Hays Ships and renamed Kommandor Calum. In 2013, the vessel underwent a refit, including the addition of a new bow and a new deck in the superstructure, and it was converted into a multipurpose survey vessel. In 2015, she was acquired by the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere, I. P. (IPMA) and renamed Mar Portugal, being further adapted to support fisheries research and ROV operations.

In 2020 was renamed Mário Ruivo, in honour of the Portuguese biologist, pioneer of oceans’ protection and scientific research of the sea.