Wärtsilä Ship Design has designed ‘Aurora Borealis’, a heavy Icebreaker, Deep-Sea Drilling and Multi-Purpose Research Vessel. Upon entering service scheduled to take place in 2016, the vessel will be used to support climate and environmental research.
The most advanced Polar Research Vessel in the world features full functional capability to -50°C, working capacity +45°C to -30°C and icebreaking capacity of 2.5 m multi-year ice with 3 kn. Dynamic positioning in drifting level ice is of up to 2.5 m thickness and in open water.
The new technological features will comprise dynamic positioning in closed sea-ice cover, advanced ice-forecasting and management, with autonomous, multiple helicopter support and the deployment and operation of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) from the twin moon-pools.
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World Maritime News Staff, January 9, 2012; Image: AURORA BOREALIS