Ocean Research Ships
RYOFU MARU ?, an Advanced Oceanographic and Marine Meteorological Observation Ship
Since the 1970s, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has been recruiting six oceanographic vessels in the seas adjacent to Japan and the western North Pacific for oceanographic and marine meteorological observations.
The Ryofu Maru ? built by Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd in 1966 has carried out numerous oceanographic and marine meteorological observations including international cooperative surveys over 28 years. Almost three decades after the construction of the Ryofu Maru?, the capabilities of the vessel have recently become insufficient for comprehensive observation demands, in particular, to cope with global issues on climate and environment. To meet such demands, it was decided to build a new oceanographic ship with sophisticated functions as the successor to the Ryofu Maru?.
The new vessel, RYOFU MARU? was built by Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. The ship has intensively higher maneuvering abilities, more modern observation facilities, and better habitability.
The ship is anticipated to play a bigger role in monitoring functions in climate change and global environmental issues.
In designing the RYOFU MARU, propulsion performance, maneuverability and stability were carefully considered so that observations could be carried out adequately and efficiently.
In addition to various performance tests to evaluate propulsion, maneuvering and cruising functions, propeller cavitation test was implemented to investigate under- water noise, vibration and erosion due to the propeller.
The vibrations of main engine and generator engines are reduced by elastic support. Furthermore cassette panels and vibration preventing materials are fully introduced to reduce noise and vibrations.
Tests were also made in a water tank to observe the influence of air bubbles trapped at the bow on acoustic instruments installed on the bottom of the hull.
The ship has various facilities to carry out observations for studies in physical, chemical and biological oceanography, greenhouse gases, and ozone depleting substances as well as marine meteorological observations. On the ship there are the wet-laboratory, and No. 1 and No. 2 laboratories as observation rooms.
PRINCIPAL PARTICULARS
Length(o.a.)……………82.00m
Length(b.p.)……………72.00m
Breadth(mld.)……………13.00m
Depth(mld.)……………6.00m
Draft(mld.)……………4.71m
Gross tonnage……………1,380
Deadweight……………890T
Main engine……………Daihatsu 6DLM-40×1
MCR……………4,000PS×500/230rpm
NOR……………3,200PS×464/213.5rpm
Speed(max.trial)……………14.4knots
(service)……………14knots
Complement……………60
Classification……………JG
