RV Atair

BSH issued a request for proposals for a new research vessel in October 2014, and completed design work for the ship early in 2015.[2] The ship was originally planned to have a cost of about €80 million and enter service late in the decade.[2] The €113.8 million contract for overall engineering and construction of the ship was awarded to Kongsberg.[3] Construction of Atair was sub-contracted to two German shipyards—Fassmer Werft and German Naval Yards (GNY).[4] Construction began in December 2017,[5] and the hull and superstructure were launched at German Naval Yards in February 2019.[4] Following some fitting out work, including the installation of the main powerplants, Atair was transported to Fassmer Werft the following month to be completed.[4] Sea trials began in late 2019 and continued through September 2020 ahead of the expected delivery of Atair late in 2020.[4][6][7] Upon her entry into service for BSH, which will own and operate Atair, she will replace the 1987-built Atair and operate primarily in the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, and the North Atlantic Ocean.[6][3]

Atair measures 75 metres (246 ft) long, 16.8 metres (55 ft) wide, and has a draft of 5 metres (16 ft).[4] She is powered by three Wärtsilä engines, two of which are LNG-capable, that give her a service speed of up to 13 knots (24 km/h) through a single propeller.[4] Atair is the first research vessel in the world to have an LNG-fueled propulsion system.[2] The crew complement is 18 sailors, with accommodations for up to 15 researchers.[3] Scientific facilities on board include several types of sonar, laboratories, rigging to support the deployment of off-vessel equipment, and deck space to house additional temporary equipment.[3]