Mário Ruivo RV acoustics scientific equipment
Mario Ruivo research vessel left Vigo on April 14th after 3 months at Cardama shipyard, where new permanent hull-mounted underwater acoustics scientific equipment were installed. The new equipment include:
- Parametric sub-bottom profiler system for full ocean depths (Kongsberg TOPAS18)
- Multi-beam echo sounder for high-resolution seabed mapping for intermediate waters (Kongsberg EM712)
- Multi-beam echo sounder for high-resolution seabed mapping for deep waters (Kongsberg EM304)
- High-precision scientific echo sounder and ADCP system for underwater ecosystems and currents monitoring (Kongsberg EK80)
- Low frequency scanning sonar for fish detection (Kongsberg Simrad SX93)
Sea Acceptance Tests were concluded successfully, conducted by Kongsberg Maritime technicians, with the participation of IPMA researchers and technicians from the marine geology, environment oceanography, fisheries and IT divisions, as well as from the research vessels and ocean observatories group. The new acoustic systems create new opportunities in ocean monitoring and studies along the water column, seabed, and subseafloor, giving IPMA and the national scientific community new tools for research and development, and for providing technical and scientific support for the definition of national policy.
The vessel was also upgraded with two new winches – 1500 m electric winch and 6000 m mechanical winch, and two lateral poles and two stern outriggers for carrying and towing scientific equipment. Furthermore, the main deck was fully renovated with new double cabins and a locker room, which increased the total capacity of the vessel to 47 people.
With this intervention, Mário Ruivo RV now provides the national and international scientific community with a deep ocean observation platform, equipped with state-of-the-art technology.
