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.