 The Marion Dufresne is a large, versatile and multi-purpose vessel with two main functions: (1) performing oceanographic research; (2) resupplying the French austral islands of Crozet, Kerguelen, Amsterdam and Saint-Paul. At the same time, it is a passenger liner (for the transport of personnel and visitors to the French austral islands' research stations), a cargo vessel (for the transport of containers and heavy cargo to the stations), a fuel tanker, a helicopter carrier (to provide a base for passengers and light cargo flights), and a multidisplinary scientific vessel. Its special resupply capabilities make the Marion Dufresne one of the world's largest scientific vessels, with exceptional seaworthiness allowing for work in all weather conditions, and the best research vessel in the world for deep-sea coring.
The giant-corer handling system called CALYPSO, allows for 10t and up to 75m long cores, which makes Marion Dufresne the world record holder. Developed on this vessel, the system includes an integrated heavy sampling system using a new generation of 30t band capstan winch (aramide cable compatible), and 3 drums holding 7500 m of large diameter cable (up to 30 mm). this description and the image at right are from the
University At Sea web site.
The header image above is courtesy of The Australian National Oceans Office, AUSCAN Voyage web site. |
| Vessel Ownership | ||||
| Vessel name: | R/V Marion Dufresne | |||
| Vessel nationality: | France | |||
| Homeport: | unknown | |||
| Vessel owner: | French Polar Institute - Paul Emile Victor (IPEV) |  | ||
| Vessel operator: | French Polar Institute - Paul Emile Victor (IPEV) | |||
| Vessel web page: | http://www.ifremer.fr/ifrtp/pages/institut_polaire.html | |||
| Vessel Activities and Operating Areas | ||||
| Vessel's main activity: | Oceanographic research, especially sedimentology, and transport of researchers and supplies to French antarctic bases. | |||
| Vessel operating areas: | All open oceans and seas worldwide, from the tropics to the poles. Designed to operate in severe weather conditions. | |||
| Primary Logistics Provider | ||||
| Organization: | Institut Polaire Français - Paul Emile Victor (IPEV) | |||
| Name and title of contact person: | unknown | |||
| Address: | Technopôle Brest-Iroise - BP 75 - 29280 Plouzané - France | |||
| Telephone: | + 33 (0)2 98 05 65 00 | |||
| Fax: | + 33 (0)2 98 05 65 55 | |||
| E-mail: | infoipev@ifrtp.ifremer.fr | |||
| Contact person or agency web page: | http://www.ifremer.fr/ifrtp/ | |||
| Scheduling Process | ||||
| Process description: | ALIAS is seeking this information | |||
| Vessel Characteristics | ||||
| Vessel type: | Dedicated research vessel | |||
| Vessel length in meters: | 120.5 | |||
| Vessel length in feet: | 395 | |||
| Beam (Breadth) in meters: | 20.6 | |||
| Beam in feet: | 68 | |||
| Freeboard (deck to water) in meters: | 13 | |||
| Freeboard (deck to water) in feet: | 43 | |||
| Draft in meters: | 7 | |||
| Draft in feet: | 23 | |||
| Displacement GRT: | 9403 | |||
| Year built: | 1995 | |||
| Height (topmast to water) in meters : | unknown | |||
| Height (topmast to water) in feet : | unknown | |||
| Science deck space (m) : | unknown | |||
| Science deck space (ft) : | unknown | |||
| Vessel Performance and Capabilities | ||||
| Cruising speed (knots, open water): | 15.7 | |||
| Fuel capacity: | 1170 m3 | |||
| Propulsion power: | 3 diesel generator sets, 8250 kW electrical production capability, 2 synchronous electrical motors for vessel propulsion (3000 kW each), allowing for 13.5 knots (low consumption speed), 15.7 knots (cruising speed), and 17 knots (full speed). information from University at Sea | |||
| Range in nautical miles : | unknown | |||
| Range in km : | unknown | |||
| Endurance (days) : | unknown | |||
| Accommodations | ||||
| Crew berths: | 25 | |||
| Scientist berths: | 110 | |||
| Communications and Data Systems | ||||
| Comments: | Ethernet network, intranet workstations and PCs, plotters and printers. | |||
| Laboratory Space | ||||
| Lab space: | There are multiple labs on the Marion Dufresne, totalling 650 square meters ( 7,000 square feet ), with space for containerized labs as well. ALIAS is seeking additional details | |||
| Onboard Science Equipment | ||||
| Navigation 3 systems of positioning by GPS (with differential corrections SkyFix) Doppler log, gyro-compass Navigation and attitude control unit (PosMV320) Underwater object positioning by ultra-short acoustic base Posidonia Dynamic ship positioning (Albatross/Simrad) Environment Power station Aanderaa weather and acoustic anemometer 2 distribution systems of "clean" sea water to the laboratories 2 continuous thermosalinographs 2 Doppler current profilers 3 bathysondes, 1 carrousel, 24 bottles Telescopic booms, telescopic winches integrated, platforms and supports Geophysics Sediment-penetrating multibeam sounder TSM 5265B Dual frequency 12kHz and/or 3,5 Khz Chain analogical survey (3.5, 12, 18 Khz) Monobeam Sounder ODEC Bathy 2000 4 frequencies (3.5, 12, 18, 34 Khz) Proton sensor marine magnetometer Marine gravimeter Lacoste & Rombeerg n° S77 Seismic 2 onboard compressors: Luchard 150 m 3 /H | ||||
| CTD Equipment | ||||
| Onboard CTD equipment: | 3 CTDs, and a 24-bottle rosette | |||
| A-Frames | ||||
| Onboard A-Frames: | Two 10 ton capacity A frames | |||
| Cranes | ||||
| Onboard cranes: | 2 high speed 25 ton cranes (45 tons if used as twin cranes) logistical/oceanographic crane, 18 ton 2 serice cranes, 12 ton | |||
| Winches, Wires and Cables | ||||
| Onboard winches: | one 30 ton winch two 4 ton winches 3 drums with 7500m of cable | |||