Australia’s new Marine National Facility research vessel, Investigator, is in the middle of undertaking a series of short commissioning year voyages.

These voyages are allowing us to test and commission equipment and to develop safe working and handling procedures.

Two weeks ago the ship was south of Tasmania where the crew and scientists were learning how to deploy the equipment that is used to collect samples from the sea floor, which is known as benthic sampling.

Last week the ship left on voyage that will test the biological pelagic equipment. Pelagic refers to the part of the ocean that is neither near the shore or the bottom.

Check out how scientists on board Investigator can collect samples with nets!

MNF – RV Investigator – Collecting samples with nets