The Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) commissioned the construction of this oceanographic research vessel from Freire shipyard in order to provide Spain with a modern, fully capable platform for global scientific research.
She is the first Spanish oceanographic vessel with full operational capability for deep-sea Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). The vessel is equipped to conduct missions in physical and chemical oceanography, marine biology, fisheries stock assessment, marine geology and geophysics (including seismic surveys), and the deployment of subsea observatories such as OBSEA and GEOSTAR.
With an overall length of 70.5 metres, she can accommodate up to 42 people and features wet, dry and temperature-controlled laboratories, as well as deck space for containerized laboratory units. The vessel has an endurance of 40 days.
Her diesel-electric propulsion system with DC motors enables compliance with the ICES 209 underwater radiated noise standard. Combined with a dynamic positioning system and bow thrusters, this provides the vessel with exceptional manoeuvrability.
