NIWA’s brand-new research vessel, Kaharoa II, has been officially christened by Minister Judith Collins. The new vessel’s maiden voyage deployed ocean monitoring floats across the Atlantic and in a comprehensive pattern across the western Pacific down to New Zealand.
Ocean observation
The vessel arrived in Wellington after spending 83 days sailing from Astilleros Armon shipyard in northern Spain, where it was built. Kaharoa IIwas designed by Norwegian naval architects Skipsteknisk and has been equipped with the latest technologies. According to NIWA, it is quieter under the water, causing less disturbance to the environment. It is 8m longer and is said to be more comfortable than its predecessor, with increased laboratory and deck space that can accommodate six crew members and up to nine scientists.
Dr Richard O’Driscoll, chief scientist of fisheries at NIWA, said it will transform NIWA’s work. “Kaharoa II is a next-generation research vessel that will allow us to do more great science. It also has 35 days’ endurance, with a 6,500 nautical mile range, meaning we will be able to go further for longer, from inshore studies to the deep oceans,” he said.
Kaharoa II will deploy and maintain the New Zealand Tsunami detection network, maintain long-term fisheries surveys, and continue NIWA’s contribution to the international Argo program, which deploys floats throughout the world’s oceans to measure water conditions for marine and atmospheric research. Kaharoa II replaces its predecessorKaharoa, which is more than 40 years old and nearing the end of its working life. Kaharoa has already deployed about one-quarter of all the Argo floats globally – more than any other vessel – and Kaharoa II will continue this legacy.
Fleet integration
Kaharoa II joins NIWA’s research vessel fleet, including the deepwater, ice-strengthened Tangaroa, and the nearshore catamaran Ikatere, giving the nation full coverage of New Zealand’s marine realm and much farther afield.
John Morgan, chief executive at NIWA, said Kaharoa II will help meet New Zealand’s fisheries, oceanography and maritime research needs: “As an island nation, we have a strong cultural, environmental and economic connection to the ocean, with NIWA’s work playing a key role in our understanding and management of it. This new vessel represents a significant investment in essential New Zealand science capability and underpins our strengths in ocean science. It will support cost-effective, safe and more environmentally friendly research of the highest quality.”
Rob Christie, manager of marine resources at NIWA and director of the project, said, “Overseeing the construction of a new research vessel is a rare privilege. The trick is to have an extensive support network, a knowledgeable team, and governance who understand the complexity, risks and end goal. We had all three. The designers at Skipsteknisk took great pride in their work and, with the Armon shipyard, have given us a next-generation vessel that has exceeded our expectations.”
During her christening speech, Minister Judith Collins said, “This highly sophisticated, significantly enhanced and cost-effective research vessel will transform New Zealand’s marine research capabilities.”
In related news, NIWA (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research) recently purchased a NZ$20m (US$12m) supercomputer to enable high-resolution weather and climate forecasting 24/7, using data from weather stations around the world. Click here to read the full story.