New Aarhus University research vessel

The hull is currently being assembled in Poland before being transported back to Danish boat builders, Hvide Sande Skibs & Baadebyggeri, for fitting out in June.

Christened Aurora, the 28m long vessel should be ready to embark on expeditions by the summer of 2014. It will be able to carry 14 people on 10 day research expeditions.

The vessel will provide a better opportunity for the university to study and better understand marine ecosystems, benefitting both researchers and students.

The value of the build is said to be around DKK40m. Denmark’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation has granted DKK30m (€4m) and the university’s faculty of science is contributing DKK10m (approximately €1.3m) of its own funds to the project.

Aarhus University is spearheading the construction and subsequent operations of the vessel, which will be the first Danish marine research vessel built for a Danish university.

Aurora will be equipped with six cabins, computer workplaces, a classroom and two permanent laboratories. There will be room for two exchangeable containers to house different equipment for procedures such as seismological investigations, diving operations, fishery and isotope work.