RV The Princess Royal

Summary

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
Red Ensign (UK)United Kingdom
NameRV The Princess Royal
NamesakePrincess Anne of the United Kingdom
OwnerNewcastle University
OperatorNewcastle University Department of Marine Science and Technology[3]
RouteCoastal waters, rivers and estuaries of North East England.[3]
BuilderAlnmarintec, Blyth, UK[5][2]
Yard numberALN 109[2]
Christened4 February 2011[4]
Identification
StatusIn service
General characteristics
TypeResearch Vessel[6]
Displacement35 t (34 long tons; 39 short tons)[2]
Length18.9 m (62 ft) LOA[2]
Beam7.42 m (24.3 ft)[2]
Draught1.8 m (5.9 ft)[1]
Installed power1,200 hp (890 kW)[3]
Propulsion
  • 2 × Cummins QSM11 diesel engines[2]
  • 2 × fixed pitch propellers[2]
Speed
  • 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) (maximum),[2]
  • 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) (cruising)[3]
Range400nm in sea state 4-5[3]
Boats & landing
craft carried
5m inflatable RIB[2]

Design edit

The 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[2] 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.[2]

Powering the vessel are two MAN D2676 diesel engines coupled to two fixed-pitch propellers.[3][2]

Namesake edit

The Princess Royal is named after Princess Anne who christened the ship during a ceremony in Blyth on 4 February 2011.[4]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "MarineTraffic.com Tracking of RV The Princess Royal". Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "ALN 109 'The Princess Royal'". Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Research Vessel, The Princess Royal". Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  4. ^ a b "Princess Royal to launch marine research centre". Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  5. ^ "Princess on the Tyne: Introducing the RV The Princess Royal". Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  6. ^ a b c "School of Marine Science and Technology: Blyth Marine Station and RV Princess Royal" (PDF). Retrieved 16 August 2017.