RV The Princess Royal is a research vessel owned and operated by Newcastle University as part of the School of Marine Science and Technology. Designed by in-house naval architects from the school, The Princess Royal replaced the previous RV Bernicia as the school's research vessel.
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | RV The Princess Royal |
| Namesake | Princess Anne of the United Kingdom |
| Owner | Newcastle University |
| Operator | Newcastle University Department of Marine Science and Technology[1] |
| Route | Coastal waters, rivers and estuaries of North East England.[1] |
| Builder | Alnmarintec, Blyth, UK[2][3] |
| Yard number | ALN 109[3] |
| Christened | 4 February 2011[4] |
| Identification |
|
| Status | In service |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Research Vessel[6] |
| Displacement | 35 t (34 long tons; 39 short tons)[3] |
| Length | 18.9 m (62 ft) LOA[3] |
| Beam | 7.42 m (24.3 ft)[3] |
| Draught | 1.8 m (5.9 ft)[5] |
| Installed power | 1,200 hp (890 kW)[1] |
| Propulsion | |
| Speed | |
| Range | 400nm in sea state 4-5[1] |
| Boats & landing craft carried | 5m inflatable RIB[3] |
Design
editThe Princess Royal has a twin hull, deep-vee form with each hull having a bulbous bow. The hull form aims to improve seakeeping, stability and fuel efficiency[6] and was designed by the School of Marine Science and Technology at Newcastle University. The ship was built by Alnmarintec in Blyth[3] to MCA category 2 requirements and is constructed from aluminium alloy.[6]
The Princess Royal is equipped with a 6.5 tonne-metre knuckle boom crane, a 2 tonne hydraulic A-frame, two trawl winches, a pot hauler two ROV winches and a 5-metre Rigid Inflatable Boat.[3]
Powering the vessel are two MAN D2676 diesel engines coupled to two fixed-pitch propellers.[1][3]
Namesake
editThe Princess Royal is named after Princess Anne who christened the ship during a ceremony in Blyth on 4 February 2011.[4]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f "Research Vessel, The Princess Royal". Retrieved 16 August 2017.
- ^ "Princess on the Tyne: Introducing the RV The Princess Royal". Retrieved 16 August 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "ALN 109 'The Princess Royal'". Retrieved 16 August 2017.
- ^ a b "Princess Royal to launch marine research centre". Retrieved 16 August 2017.
- ^ a b c "MarineTraffic.com Tracking of RV The Princess Royal". Retrieved 16 August 2017.
- ^ a b c "School of Marine Science and Technology: Blyth Marine Station and RV Princess Royal" (PDF). Retrieved 16 August 2017.