Supply (Design and Build) of a New Polar Research Vessel (NPRV).

Descriptions

In April 2014, The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a two hundred million pound (sterling) investment for a New Polar Research Vessel (NPRV) to be funded by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).A proportion of the available funding will be used to improve other related infrastructure.The NPRV will be a dual purpose ice capable vessel to replace the two Royal Research Ships: James Clark Ross and Ernest Shackleton. It will be designed to undertake leading edge multi-disciplinary science in both polar regions and annually resupply the UK's Antarctic research stations.Key features of the NPRV (subject to design improvements) will be:— Length of approximately 125 m and a breadth of approximately 24 m;— Draft of approximately 7 m;— Scientific cargo volume of approximately 900 cu metres;— Endurance for up to 60 days (Polar Regions);— Range 19 000 nm at 13 knots transit;— Ice breaking capability — up to 1 m thick at 3 knts;— Helicopter capable;— Ability to launch and recover aerial and ocean robotic systems;— Crew compliment will be approximately 30;— Up to 60 scientists and support staff will be accommodated on-board.A Programme Board to oversee and govern the project was formed in March 2014, comprising key stakeholders from BIS, BAS and NERC. A Project Management office is now established at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) head office in Cambridge to execute the project.