RV Kaharoa II is a research vessel operated by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) of New Zealand. The contract for her construction was awarded to Astilleros Armon Vigo in Spain in 2022 as a replacement for the RV Kaharoa, put into service in 1981.[1] She was launched in 2023 and entered service in 2024.
 RV Kaharoa II in San Diego in 2024.
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 New Zealand | |
| Owner | National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research |
| Builder | Astilleros ARMON, Vigo, Spain; Skipsteknisk (designers) |
| Launched | 2023 |
| Homeport | Wellington |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | DNV 1A, "Fishing vessel", DYNPOS-AUT, Silent A, Silent F, EO |
| Tonnage | 499 tons |
| Length | 36.1 m (118 ft 5 in) |
| Beam | 9.5 m (31 ft 2 in) |
| Draft | 3.65 m (12 ft 0 in) |
| Propulsion | Yanmar Y6N21AW - 956kW @ 850 rpm. Tier III |
| Speed | 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) cruising, 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) top speed |
| Range | 6,500 nautical miles (12,000 km) |
| Endurance | 30 days |
| Crew | 6 mariners, 9 science party |
Construction
editPlanning for the RV Kaharoa II took 6 years.[2] It was scheduled for construction in March 2022 to replace the aging RV Kaharoa, which was 41 years old at the time. The ship was designed by Norwegian naval architecture firm Skipsteknisk, which also designed the RV Tangaroa.[3] The Norwegian propulsion company Finnøy was contracted for the development of low-noise propulsion systems on the ship, classified as DNV Silent A-F.[4][5]
Construction began in October 2022 and the keel was laid in January of 2023.[6] The ship was launched on August 30, 2023.
The ship passed through the Panama Canal and then stopped in San Diego, California in June 2024 en route to New Zealand. It arrived in New Zealand in August 2024, after 83 days of transit sailing from Spain.[7]
Characteristics
editThe Kaharoa II was built with the intention of supporting the next 40 years of fisheries research in New Zealand, as well as taking over a number of scientific responsibilities from its predacessor.[3][8] It is 8 meters longer than the Kaharoa, with additional deck space to continue the deployment of Argo floats.[7] She cost $35 million.[9]
Kaharoa II features 12.9 square metres (139 sq ft) of dry lab space, 12.6 square metres (136 sq ft) of wet lab space, a conference space, and accommodates nine science passengers in five cabins.[10] The aft deck measures 85 square metres (910 sq ft). It features an A-frame and starboard T-frame for science operations, with two 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) trawl winches, a 6,500 metres (21,300 ft) CTD winch, and 4,000 metres (13,000 ft) oceanographic winch.
Acoustic equipment include a Kongsberg EM712 and EM2040, as well as an EK80 sounder. It uses a Seapath 380-R3 for its attitude reference system and a HiPAP 352 for hydro-acoustic positioning. It has a Topas PS40 sub-bottom profiler.[10]
History
editRV Kaharoa II was christened by Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins on 19 August 2024.[9] Her first voyage will be to take images of the seafloor of the Hauraki Gulf.[9]
References
edit
- ^ "See construction of the Kaharoa II". Argo. 19 April 2023.
- ^ "Passing on the torch". Issuu.
- ^ a b "Kaharoa II Sets New Benchmark in Marine Research". Mirage News.
- ^ "Finnøy's low-noise propulsion paves the way for future research vessels". Workboat365.com. 11 June 2024.
- ^ "ST-361 Kaharoa II". Skipsteknisk.
- ^ Foothead, Greg. "RV Kaharoa II: New Build Review" (PDF). ervo-group.eu.
- ^ a b "New research vessel to help with better results". Radio New Zealand. 19 August 2024.
- ^ "Passing on the torch: NIWA". niwa.co.nz.
- ^ a b c "On budget, on time, and here: Niwa's new ship arrives in Wellington". The Post. Stuff. 19 August 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Kaharoa II: NIWA". niwa.co.nz.