DCIM100GOPROGOPR0907.
IMG_3375

Length 59.20 m
Breadth 13.80 m
Draught 5.00 m
Gross tonnage 1 734 GT
Engine power 3 000 kW
Transit speed 10.5 knots
Operating time (max.) 60 days
Research staff 25 people
Crew 12–13 people
Laboratory facilities 124 m²
Wet laboratory 9 m²
Climate room 16 m²
IT and office space 32 m²
Workshop 7 m²
Sampling space 132 m²
Helicopter deck
Research and storage container facilities
Sauna, gym and laundry

Weather station:
Wind speed and direction, air pressure, air
humidity and temperature, solar radiation, seawater temperature and conductivity every minute.
Positioning devices: 2xDGPS and ECDIS.

Communication equipment:
Immarsat Fleet 77, Inmarsat C, VHF/MF/HF,
MF/HF telex, DSC VHF/MF, aviation VHF GSM
connections.

IT equipment:
The laboratories have computers connected to a local network. From the network servers is available
new laboratory, observation data and weather data systems. In-ship communication
served by the intranet and info channel system.

Ice-strengthened research vessel

Aranda is a modern ice-strengthened research vessel suitable for multidisciplinary, year-round marine research. The operation of the vessel is managed by the Finnish Environmental Center SYKE.

Aranda was built in 1989. The original construction contract was signed by Oy Laivateollisuus Ab’s shipyard in Turku, which at the time belonged to the Wärtsilä Meriteollisuus group. Construction started in Turku, but after the decision to close the shipyard, the work was completed by Helsinki’s Hietalahti shipyard.

We did the concept design of Aranda’s extensive renovation and modernization project in 2017–18 and acted as a consultant for the Finnish Environment Agency. During the project, the ship’s propulsion machinery was changed to diesel-electric, and two new tunnel thrusters and a pumpjet-type propeller were installed. To accommodate new equipment and tanks, the vessel’s hull was lengthened by 4.8 m from the engine room area and 1.8 m from the aft deck area.

The conditions for research activities carried out on board were also improved considerably. Its laboratory facilities were renovated, and it was also equipped with a hydraulically raised and lowered dropkeel structure, with which oceanographic sensors can be installed at the bottom of the keel in the research yard area and then lowered well below the baseline of the ship for measurement work. For aerial research, an observation room was built on the roof of the wheelhouse.