Coastal researchers at the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research get a new research ship: the MYA II was launched on the site of the Fassmer shipyard in Berne.
In her brief speech, AWI director Prof. Dr. Karin Lochte emphasised the importance of the ship for research into the Wadden Sea, which is a world heritage site. She also referred to the benefits for young scientists who, in future, will use the MYA II as a marine research platform on the doorstep.
The head of AWI logistics, Dr. Uwe Nixdorf, underlined the positive cooperation with the shipyard and suppliers which, bearing in mind the demanding requests of scientists, was quite something. The order to build a research ship around 20 metres in length for up to twelve researchers was supplemented by wishes such as: shallow draught, possibility of falling dry in the mud flats, various winches, plumb lines and measuring instruments, a crane, a speed of ten knots. After all, the new ship ought to be able to outperform its predecessor, the now 35 year-old MYA.
Straight after the launch the ship put out to sea in the direction of Sylt, where a number of equipment tests are planned for the coming weeks. On 13 August 2013 the new research ship will then be handed over to science at a ceremony in List on Sylt.
[mappress] Press Release, July 18, 2013; Image: AWI