RRS DISCOVERY Going Soon – The Royal Research Ship DISCOVERY is near the end of a long career.  The ship, operated by the Natural Environmental Research Council from the Southampton Oceanographic Centre will complete its final research voyage in November 2012 and then return to Southampton early in December 2012 to demobilise having completed 50 years of service.   The old ship will then be offered up for disposal, before the end of the financial year (March 2013).

The ship was launched at Aberdeen in July 1962, and was subsequently used as the base design for the 'H' Class Survey Ships of the Royal Navy.     Initially manned by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, (for the National Institute of Oceanography), the ship later passed to civilian management of the scientific bodies that owned the vessel. The DISCOVERY underwent a major refit when 30 years old (in 1992) which comprised insertion of a 10m section to the hull and a complete rebuild of her upper-works, including new laboratories, as well as greatly enhanced over-the-side handling facilities.  A further major refit in 2003 installed an updated electrical winch system.    The ship is not fitted with a multibeam echosounder, nor is it capable of dynamic positioning, while the main propulsion machinery is the same one fitted when built.

Natural Environmental Research Council have ordered a replacement from a Spanish shipyard (Vigo) which will enter service in 2013.