RV Belgica (A962)

RV Belgica is a Belgian research vessel which was built in 1984. She is manned by the Belgian Naval Component and is in active service.

For other ships with the same name, see RV Belgica.
Belgica, September 2003
History
Belgium
Name: Belgica
Owner: Belgium
Operator: Belgian Naval Component
Builder: Boelwerf, Temse, Belgium
Launched: 6 January 1984
Commissioned: 5 July 1984
Homeport: Zeebrugge
Identification:
Status: 2010~
General characteristics
Class and type: Oceanographic research ship
Tonnage:
Displacement: 1,200 tons
Length: 51.12 m (167 ft 9 in)
Beam: 10.00 m (32 ft 10 in)
Draught: 4.60 m (15 ft 1 in)
Depth: 5.70 m (18 ft 8 in)
Propulsion: Diesel engine
Speed:
  • 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) (service)
  • 13.5 knots (25.0 km/h; 15.5 mph) (maximum)
Range: 20,000 nautical miles (37,000 km; 23,000 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement: 30
Armament: None

Description

Belgica is 51.12 metres (167 ft 9 in) long, with a beam of 10.00 metres (32 ft 10 in) and a draught of 4.60 metres (15 ft 1 in).[1] Assessed at 765 GT, 232 NT,[2] she has a displacement of 1,200 tons.[1] The ship is propelled by a 1,570 horsepower (1,170 kW) ABC 6M DZC1000-150 diesel engine, driving a kort nozzle ducted propeller.[3] She has a 150 kilowatts (200 hp) bow and stern thruster and a 82 kilowatts (110 hp) electric motor.[1]

Belgica has an range of 20,000 nautical miles (37,000 km; 23,000 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph). Her maximum speed is 13.5 knots (25.0 km/h; 15.5 mph).[2] She is fitted with a Kongsberg EM 1002 and EM 3002 sonar and an acoustic doppler current profiler. There are five laboratories on board. Power is provided by two diesel powered generators of 275 kilowatts (369 hp) each.[1]

History

Belgica was built by Boelwerf, Temse. She was launched on 6 January 1984 and commissioned on 5 July 1984.[3] Her homeport is Zeebrugge. She is allocated the IMO Number 8222563, MMSI Number 205218000 and Pennant number A962. Belgica uses the callsign ORGQ.[4] She was named after the RV Belgica, a ship used by Adrien de Gerlache in the Belgian Antarctic Expedition (1897–99).

Belgica is operated by the Management Unit of North Sea Mathematical Models (MUMM) and crewed by the Belgian Naval Component. Her homeport is Zeebrugge.[5]

In 2013 mechanical problems caused the aging vessel to be taken out of service for four weeks, which prompted the Belgian government to plan her replacement by 2017.[6] This has later been postponed to 2020.[7]

References
  1. "A962 Belgica - Oceanografisch Onderzoekingsschip" (in Dutch). Belgian Military. Retrieved 5 October 2010.
  2. "Welcome on board". Management Unit of North Sea Mathematical Models. Retrieved 5 October 2010.
  3. "Belgium". World Warships. Retrieved 5 October 2010.
  4. "BNS BELGICA". Marine Traffic. Retrieved 5 October 2010.
  5. "An oceanographic research ship and service provider". Management Unit of North Sea Mathematical Models. Retrieved 5 October 2010.
  6. jvt (27 October 2013). "Onderzoeksschip Belgica wordt binnen vier jaar vervangen". De Standaard (in Dutch). Belga. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  7. Joppe Matyn (6 November 2018). "Onderzoeksschip Belgica krijgt opvolger, krijgen we eigen Boaty McBoatface?". VRT NWS (in Dutch). Belga. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
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