RRS Discovery (1962)

RRS Discovery was a British Royal Research Ship operated by NERC.

This article is about the 1962 vessel. For Scott's 1901 ship, see RRS Discovery. For other ships of this name, see RRS Discovery (disambiguation).

RRS Discovery
History
United Kingdom
NameRRS Discovery
OwnerNERC National Marine Facilities Division
BuilderHall Russell, Aberdeen[1]
Yard number899[1]
Laid down1962
Launched3 July 1962
Out of service14 December 2012
Identification
FateScrapped Ghent 27 February 2013
General characteristics
Class and type
Tonnage
Length90.0 m[2]
Beam14.0 m[2]
Draught5.52 m (full load)
Depth7.83 m
Installed power3716 kW
PropulsionDiesel-electric system with 2 × Mirrlees Blackstone ESL6 and 2 × Mirrlees Blackstone ELS9 Mk2 Diesel engines driving a propulsion motor. 360° azimuth thruster unit at bow
Speed11.0 knots (max: 12.5 knots)
Endurance55 days
Crew9 Officers; 13 Crew; 28 Scientists

RRS Discovery (III) was built in Aberdeen in 1962 and named after Robert Falcon Scott's 1901 ship, RRS Discovery. Until 2006, she was the largest general purpose oceanographic research vessel in use in the United Kingdom. Measuring 90 metres in length, and fitted with a broad range of oceanographic equipment, Discovery could also accommodate containerized laboratories. She had berths for 28 scientific staff, and the ability to spend up to 45 days at sea.[3] Her last major overhaul was in 1991,[4] when a new superstructure and power plant were installed and her hull lengthened by 10 metres.[5]

Discovery carried out oceanographic and marine biology research from the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton. She operated as part of a fleet maintained by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) National Marine Facilities Division (NMFD), along with the larger RRS James Cook.

In February 2000, Discovery observed some of the largest waves, called rogue waves, up to 29.1 metres (95.5 feet), recorded by scientific instruments up to that time.[6]

Discovery was scrapped at Ghent on 27 February 2013.[1]

References
  1. "Discovery (5090660)". Miramar Ship Index. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  2. "RRS Discovery (IMO: 5090660)". Vessel Tracker. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
  3. "RRS Discovery". Natural Environment Research Council. Archived from the original on 28 May 2009. Retrieved 5 June 2009.
  4. "RRS Discovery". Inter-Agency Committee on Marine Science and Technology. Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 4 January 2008.
  5. "National Marine Facilities - Sea Systems: RSS Discovery". National Oceanography Centre - University of Southampton. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
  6. Holliday, NP, MJ Yelland, RW Pascal, VR Swail, PK Taylor, CR Griffiths, and EC Kent (2006). Were extreme waves in the Rockall Trough the largest ever recorded? Geophysical Research Letters, Vol. 33, L05613
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