Scientists at the Marine Biological Association (MBA) were invited to step aboard the RRS Sir David Attenborough on its visit to Plymouth this week, as the state-of-the-art polar research vessel made a short stop at His Majesty’s Naval Base Devonport ahead of its next Antarctic mission.
The RRS (Royal Research Ship), operated by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), is one of the most advanced polar research ships in the world. Designed to support both logistical operations and frontier science in some of the planet’s harshest environments, the vessel combines cutting-edge technology with the capacity to carry 30 crew and up to 60 scientists on board.
MBA Senior Research Fellow and Marine Research Plymouth Alliance representative Dr Clare Ostle, Director of Science Professor Michael Cunliffe and members of the MBA’s Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) Survey team were invited aboard for a guided tour and show-and-tell of the vessel’s research capabilities. During their visit, they met members of the ship’s crew and scientists preparing for the seven-month voyage south.
Dr Ostle, who works with the CPR Survey, one of the world’s longest running and geographically extensive marine ecological surveys, said: “It was fantastic to step aboard such an iconic ship. Seeing first-hand how data are collected and processed at sea helps us connect our own long-term ocean observations to the global picture of environmental change. The RRS Sir David Attenborough represents an incredible platform for collaboration and discovery.”
Professor Cunliffe added: “The RRS Sir David Attenborough embodies the very best of UK marine science. Visiting the vessel here in Plymouth highlighted how research organisations, from the MBA to the British Antarctic Survey, are working together to better understand and protect our oceans. It’s inspiring to see such an amazing platform for marine science.”
The RRS Sir David Attenborough is a key part of the UK’s polar research infrastructure, enabling scientists to study the oceans, atmosphere, ice shelves, and seabed in unprecedented detail. The ship’s dynamic positioning system allows it to maintain its location to within centimetres, even in the rough conditions of the Southern Ocean, ensuring consistent and accurate data collection.
As the ship departs for Antarctica, its mission will support multiple research projects and resupply British research stations across the continent. The MBA wishes the crew and scientists a safe and successful voyage as they continue their vital work in understanding the changing polar environment.
