National Research Fleet

The facility 

The National Research Fleet of the Netherlands consists of three research vessels, The National Research Fleet is part of the National Marine Facilities (NMF), a division of NIOZ, that maintains and operates research ships and seagoing equipment. Furthermore, NMF provides qualified support personnel, including data management, to operate the facilities in order to provides access for researchers working in the Netherlands. 

RV Pelagia 

RV Pelagia is 66 meter long vessel for multidisciplinary research and the largest sea-going vessel of the National Research Fleet. The Pelagia is the flagship of ocean research in the Netherlands, operating year-round in all oceans and seas except for the Polar regions. To accommodate the large variety of research activities that take place at sea, the ship uses containerized laboratories of a standard 20-foot size. A total of nine containers can be placed on board; four on the aft deck and five inside the ship. This is a very flexible and efficient system which allows the use of tailor-made laboratories for highly specialized types of research. In addition to the container laboratories, three permanent laboratories are also available for general use. 

RV Navicula 

RV Navicula is a 23 meter long vessel that was specially designed as a Wadden Sea vessel, with limited draft and a flat bottom to have access to over the narrowest channels. Navicula’s area of operation is limited to the Wadden Sea and the Zeeuwse Delta, with occasional trips to the coastal North Sea. Navicula has three crew members and can accommodate up to eight scientists in four cabins. The ship has two permanent laboratories and space on deck to take one 20ft container.  

In November 2023, RV Navicula is expected to be replaced by RV Wim Wolff, currently under construction. RV Wim Wolff will be 36m long and will be able to accommodate 12 reserchers.  

RV Adriaen Coenen 

RV Adriaen Coenen is the smallest vessel in the fleet. She operates around NIOZ and is mainly used for transporting scientists and samples between the NIOZ and the research areas in the Wadden Sea such as the Balgzand and the bird observatory at the island of Griend. 

Research topics 

Ocean Research (Ocean Chemistry and Biogeochemistry, Microbiology, Physical Oceanography); Coastal Research (Wadden Sea, Delta, North Sea, Birds) 

Running period 

2000 - undertermined 

Equipment 

The equipment and technical specification of the different research vessels can be found on the NIOZ website: 

RV Pelagia 

RV Navicula 

RV Adriaen Coenen 

Conditions for access 

More information about access to the National Research Fleet can be found on the NIOZ website: 

Access to NMF facilities