Freire Shipyard successfully launched the new research vessel, Anita Conti, designed for the French Oceanographic Fleet and operated by Ifremer (French research institute entirely dedicated to ocean knowledge). This remarkable event marks a significant step in advancing oceanographic research and pays homage to Anita Conti, the first female oceanographer in France, known for her groundbreaking contributions to marine studies. Anita Conti’s legacy is not just a symbol of women’s pivotal role in the scientific community, but a reminder of the ongoing necessity for diverse perspectives in ocean exploration.
Currently moored in the Vigo estuary, the vessel will undergo further equipping before its final delivery.
The French-flagged oceanographic will have a length over all of 40.30 meters and reduced draft. The Vessel will deal with all disciplines of oceanography in Atlantic coastal areas: geosciences and paleoclimatology, physical oceanography and biogeochemistry, biological oceanography, and ecosystem functioning, from the coastline to the continental shelf. She will also perform duties related to fishery on the continental shelf and will accommodate a crew of 12 people and 10 scientists, allowing for training campaigns with teachers and students on board.
The oceanographic research vessel stands out for the wide range of energy savings technologies and low-consumption solutions implemented: from the hull design, the design of the power plant, the power distribution system, the heat recovery system, the level from thermal insulation to the efficiency of air conditioning.
The diesel electric propulsion system will combine three main variable speed generator sets (suitable for operation on biodiesel), two shaft lines driven by electric motors and a DC electric distribution system, which together with a battery pack will offer great performance of the power plant, optimization of consumption, good redundancy, and outstanding acoustic performance (not only in terms of compliance with BV COMF 2 class notation but also with DNV SILENT-F standard). The dynamic positioning system and the electric bow thruster facilitate the manoeuvrability of the boat.
She will have an oceanographic marine telescopic main crane at the stern for marine use designed to launch and to recover scientific equipment (corer, buoys, etc.) and general handling on the aft part of the vessel. In addition, she will have a type A stern gantry, a T-type lateral gantry and a telescopic rail beam for CTD manoeuvring. For fishing operations, this boat will also have two trawling winches and a removable net drum.
