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Survey systems for new Norwegian icebreaker
Norway’s Kongsberg Maritime has been retained to supply an extensive array of survey and scientific equipment aboard Kronprins Haakon, the new Italian-built Norwegian polar research icebreaker with retractable keels due to begin service in 2017 under the auspices of the Institute of Marine Research (IMR) on behalf of the Norwegian Polar Institute.
In addition to providing an advanced K-bridge system to meet the anticipated complex navigation needs of the 100-metre vessel, the company will also supply a wide range of Simrad scientific research equipment to complement substantial survey facilities for operation in both ice and open waters. The survey scope of supply covers deep and medium depth sensors for bottom mapping including EM302, EM710 and EA600 units while systems such as SBP300 and Topas can be used to examine sub-bottom structures. Comparable equipment from Kongsberg’s Simrad subsidiary includes a new EK80 wideband single beam system, scientific ME70 and MS 70 multibeam sounders and omni-directional SH90 sonars capable of detecting and tracking biology for several kilometres within the vicinity of the vessel.
According to Øystein Mikelborg, assistant project leader at the Norwegian Polar Institute, Kronprins Haakon will be unlike other existing icebreakers in that it is being designed and equipped with combined acoustics necessary for measuring and quantifying biology in all components of marine ecosystems. Operating from its homeport in Tromsø, it will serve as Norway’s main platform for polar expeditions in both Arctic and Antarctic regions for many years to come, he adds.
By David Goodfellow
