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Research vessel operations
We manage the national research fleet and coordinate scheduling and survey planning, from ship-time applications through pre- and post-cruise preparation.
Research vessels and subsea equipment
The fleet supports offshore, coastal, fisheries, oceanographic, environmental, hydrographic, geological, and seabed research.
RV Celtic Explorer
This 65.5-metre multi-purpose vessel accommodates 35 personnel, including 20–22 scientists. It supports fisheries acoustic, oceanographic, hydrographic, and geological investigations and voyages of up to 35 consecutive days.
RV Tom Crean
Delivered in 2022, this 52.8-metre multi-purpose vessel accommodates 26 personnel. It supports fisheries, oceanographic, environmental, and seabed-mapping surveys and can spend 21 consecutive days at sea.
RV Dulra na Mara
This versatile 12-metre inshore vessel accommodates 12 passengers and two crew members. It supports sampling, beam trawling, benthic monitoring, wildlife observations, and camera and mini-ROV deployments around Ireland’s coast.
Deepwater ROV Holland I
This remotely operated vehicle can reach depths of up to 3,000 metres. Its cameras, sampling capability, and capacity for scientific equipment support detailed seabed investigations.
Plan and follow surveys
Use schedules and vessel tracking information to understand current, past, and planned research activity.
Vessel schedules
Annual schedules cover RV Celtic Explorer, RV Tom Crean, and RV Dulra na Mara. They identify the research activity, chief scientist, and institution conducting each survey.
Track a vessel
The interactive vessel map shows the current positions of RV Celtic Explorer and RV Tom Crean, survey leadership, activity information, and routes travelled during the year.
Access and plan vessel time
Researchers can apply for ship time, discuss vessel charter, plan surveys through MFP, and prepare for work at sea.
Apply for ship time
The annual call is announced in April and closes in June. Applicants submit through the Marine Facilities Planning system and need login details to use it.
Charter a vessel
RV Celtic Explorer, RV Tom Crean, and ROV Holland I are available for charter. The Research Vessel Operations team manages availability and scheduling.
Marine Facilities Planning login
MFP supports survey planning and scheduling from the ship-time application stage through pre-cruise preparation, post-cruise planning, and reporting.
Vessel user information
Scientists joining RV Tom Crean or RV Celtic Explorer need information about medical and safety certificates, permits, application routes, and life aboard the vessels.
Ocean gliders
We operate two 1,000-metre-rated Teledyne Webb Slocum G3 gliders, Laochra no Mara and Aisling no Mara. They form part of EirOOS, the Irish Ocean Observing System, which contributes to the European Ocean Observing System.
Surveys and collaboration
Follow research at sea and learn how Irish researchers participate in national and international marine science.
Survey blogs
Survey blogs provide an archive of research-vessel activity dating back to 2011.
Foreign Vessel Observer Scheme
Foreign vessels conduct marine scientific research programmes in Irish waters each year. The scheme can place Irish marine researchers aboard participating vessels for the duration of a survey.
International collaboration
We work with European and international research-infrastructure networks and collaborative projects to advance marine science, innovation, and sustainable ocean management.
Contact Research Vessel Operations
Contact the team with questions about vessel management, scheduling, survey planning, ship time, or charter availability.