The following draft specifications were released prior to a contract being awarded.

Research Vessel: Multi-purpose
Length Overall: 88.9 m
Beam: 18.5 m
Draft: 5.5 m
Lloyds Classification: +100A1, +LMC, UMS, Ice 1c, IWS, EP, Research Vessel, DP (AM), DnV Silent R

Crew: 18 TBC 

Science Complement: 40

Gross tonnage: TBA

Australian Register of Shipping Official Number: TBA

DNV Silent-R: The RV-Investigator will operate with low levels of radiated noise to allow for enhanced science operations

Main engines: 4 diesel generators

Capacities: Fuel oil 900 tonnes, fresh water 250 tonnes, fresh water evaporator up to 2 x 15 t/day

Endurance: 60 days

Electrical supply: 690VAC, 415VAC and 240VAC cycle. Full uninterruptable power supply

Propulsion: Two reversible electric propulsion motors driving two slow speed fixed pitch propellers

Dynamic Positioning: DP1 (AM) which allows the vessel to hold station within defined limits

Bow thruster: retractable 1000Kw

Winches: A large suite of scientific winches are available for conducting trawling, fishing, coring, CTD, hydrographic, and towed body operations.

Navigational equipment: A full range of navigational equipment will be employed on the RV – Investigator in accordance with Australian and International standards

Radar equipment: A full range of radar equipment will be employed on the RV – Investigator in accordance with Australian and International standards

Echo sounder: A speedlog and echo sounder will be employed on the RV – Investigator in accordance with Australian and International standards

Communications: In-Mar-Sat Comm, In-Mar-Sat Fleet Broadband voice/fax/data. Iridium ship-to-shore communications system voice/data. NextG phone, Satcom C (GMDSS compliant), HF/MF and VHF radios, weather fax. Possible addition of VSAT for high speed DATA transfer.