KONGSBERG has supplied a comprehensive package of advanced ocean science and navigation technologies for RV Anna Weber-van Bosse, the new ocean research vessel owned and operated by Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research .

Christened on the island of Texel in early March, the 80-metre newbuild has been outfitted with a range of innovations including HiPAP acoustic positioning systems, EM304 and EM2040 multibeam echosounders, TOPAS sub-bottom profiling technology, advanced echosounders for water column observation, and Seapath inertial navigation systems.

The solutions will deliver a vast range of high-resolution data, and operational stability, helping scientists conduct vital research into climate change, ocean circulation, marine biodiversity, and more.

Pushing the envelope

“RV Anna Weber-van Bosse marks a step-change in the ability of NIOZ to undertake research that pushes the envelope of ocean understanding,” comments Stene Førsund, VP Sales, Discovery division at KONGSBERG. “Naturally, we’re delighted to be on board as a trusted technology partner.

“Our solutions will work together to enable everything from mapping the deep seafloor to analysing geological structures beneath it, while ensuring researchers can accurately track complex ocean processes and environmental change. The fact that multiple, high quality data sets can be collected simultaneously will provide not only richer insights, but also more efficient, cost effective and sustainable operations. It’s a powerful proposition for a truly landmark vessel.”

Partnering for progress

The RV Anna Weber-van Bosse has been designed to house up to 30 scientists in ‘a floating lab’ capable of operating everywhere from tropical seas to the edges of Arctic ice. Equipped with sophisticated sensors, underwater robotics capability and real-time data connections, the vessel allows scientists to observe and analyse ocean processes with unprecedented accuracy. KONGSBERG has a key role to play.

The Norwegian-headquartered company’s technology will enable the team to build a comprehensive picture of the ocean environment, combining bathymetric mapping, geological imaging and acoustic sensing in single mission workflows. Meanwhile, advanced inertial navigation systems will ensure that, even in demanding conditions, data can be collected with absolute precision, confidence and safety.

Perfect platform

Speaking of the new vessel, Gert-Jan Reichart, department head Oceaanonderzoek at NIOZ,

comments: “The arrival of RV Anna Weber-van Bosse could not be more timely. Our precious ocean environments are undergoing unparalleled changes and there is a pressing need to investigate and truly understand those developments. This vessel provides the platform to do just that.

“With that in mind, it was imperative to equip it with the optimal scientific and operational tools for the crucial job at hand. With Kongsberg Discovery’s solutions we are confident that is exactly what we have. I believe we have decades of exciting voyages, and discoveries, ahead on the horizon.”

RV Anna Weber-van Bosse, which is named after pioneering marine biologist Anna Weber-van Bosse (1852–1942), has been built to replace previous Dutch research ship RV Pelagia. NIOZ is celebrating its 150^th year of operations this year.