Technological trends for ocean research vessels

Abstract

Research vessels undertake detailed analysis and studies of the oceanic arena for myriad roles and in diverse oceanic regions. Some of these roles can be combined into a single vessel, while others may require a dedicated vessel. These vessels are majorly customized during design and construction to suit their operational needs and to face the toughest environmental conditions at sea. The early research vessels were fairly basic and simplistic compared to the state-of-the-art research vessels we see today. The present paper focuses on the design characteristics and the technological trends that would bear pioneering hallmarks in the future research vessels.