RSV Nuyina explained

Nuyina is an icebreaking research and supply vessel intended to support Australian scientific activities and research bases in Antarctica. Capable of deploying a wide range of vehicles, including helicopters, landing barges and amphibious trucks to support the resupply operation, the new ship provides a modern platform for marine science research in both sea ice and open water with a large moon pool for launching and retrieving sampling equipment and remotely operated vehicles.

Design and construction

The original concept was developed by the Danish engineering company Knud E Hansen. Design and construction of the vessel was managed by the Dutch Damen Group at their shipyard in Romania.

Following a contractual agreement on 28 April 2016 with DMS Maritime, a subsidiary of Serco, for delivery, operation and maintenance, the ship's design and construction was contracted to Damen Group.[1] The design was contracted to naval architects Knud E Hansen of Denmark.[2] In August 2017, keel laying took place at Damen's Galați shipyard in Romania. Coins from Denmark, Netherlands, Romania, and Australia were welded to the keel as part of the keel laying.

By March 2018, about 7,000 tons out of 10,000 had been cut, and the base of the hull had been completed.[3] In September 2018, the hull was successfully floated in the building dock and taken to the outfitting quay.[4] It was then towed to Vlissingen in the Netherlands for fitting out.[5]

The vessel was handed over on 19 August 2021. In September it travelled from the Netherlands to Australia.[6]

RSV Nuyina's Ship's Bell

The bell for the Bridge of RSV Nuyina[7] was presented by the President of the ANARE Club[8] at the ship’s official launch on 18 December 2021.[9] It was manufactured in Maryborough, Queensland, by Olds Engineering,[10] from AS1567 - C92610 commonly referred to as G1 or ‘Admiralty gunmetal’, 88% copper, 10% tin, 2% zinc, supplied by Hayes Metals of New Zealand & Australia.[11]

The bell was engraved in Bendigo, Victoria, by National Engraving.[12] The bell’s lanyard was made by Dr Barbara Frankel from Tasmania. The whole project, from metal, manufacture, engraving and knotting, was donated by those involved, as a gift to the Australian Antarctic Division for RSV Nuyina.

Naming

On 29 September 2017, the name Nuyina (pronounced "noy-yee-nah") was announced by the Minister for the Environment, Josh Frydenberg. The name is the word in the palawa kani language of Aboriginal Tasmanians for the southern lights.[13] The name was suggested by school students in a competition, and is jointly attributed to students from St Virgil's College, Hobart and Secret Harbour Primary School, Perth.

The name Nuyina evokes the names of previous ships involved in Australian Antarctic research and investigation:

Service

Nuyina began sea trials in the North Sea on 23 November 2020.[14]

Nuyina entered Damen Schiedam dry-dock in February 2021 for an unspecified reason.

It will be operated by Serco under the direction of the Australian Antarctic Division for the Australian Government.[15] It will support science operations in the Antarctic, as well as resupplying the Australian Antarctic Division stations: Casey, Davis, Mawson and Macquarie Island.

Due to mechanical problems in the propulsion line, Nuyina was repaired in Singapore under warranty, unable to be used during the 2022-23 Antarctic season.[16] [17] It resumed service in May 2023.[18]

In 2023, it was reported that Nuyina would have to sail to Burnie on the other side of Tasmania, some 360nmi away by sea, for refuelling before heading out to Antarctica. The ship's permission to pass under the Tasman Bridge to reach the refuelling station at Selfs Point, about 4km (02miles) from its home berth in Hobart, was revoked due to safety concerns: due to its icebreaking hull form demonstrating excessive side slip during simulations and sea trials, Nuyina was found to have insufficient directional stability to safely complete the turn required before passing between the bridge pylons when sailing out. While the ship's protruding bridge wings were extended by 3.6m (11.8feet) during construction to improve visibility near the ship's sides,[19] this did not have an impact on the decision on the ruling.[20] [21] [22]

In late August 2023, the Nuyina sailed from Tasmania towards Australia's Casey Station research base on the Bailey Peninsula in Antarctica. Two helicopters from the Nuyina rescued a member of the team at the base who was suffering a medical emergency that required evacuation.[23]

Science capabilities

Scientific Data from RSV Nuyina

Data from Nuyina can be accessed through https://data.aad.gov.au/.

Fixed laboratories

Containerised laboratories

Science spaces

Scientific Deployment Systems

Scientific data collection systems

Scientific Data Management System (SDMS)

Acoustic

Atmospheric

Seawater

Science equipment

Science tender

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.damen.com/en/news/2016/05/australian_icebreaker_operated_by_dms_maritime_to_be_constructed_by_damen Australian Icebreaker Operated by DMS Maritime to be Constructed by Damen
  2. http://www.knudehansen.com/news/news-from-knud-e-hansen/2017/keel-laying-of-australias-new-icebreaker-laid/ Keel-Laying of Australia's new icebreaker laid
  3. https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/australia-s-icebreaker-taking-shape#gs.NE6U7TQ Australia's Icebreaker Taking Shape
  4. Web site: Damen performs float-out of Australian icebreaker . Damen Shipyards Group . 26 September 2018.
  5. Breaker News Completion Ships Monthly October 2020 page 7
  6. Web site: RSV Nuyina homeward bound . www.antarctica.gov.au . https://web.archive.org/web/20210908012114/https://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2021/rsv-nuyina-homeward-bound/ . 8 September 2021 . en . 1 September 2021 . live.
  7. Web site: RSV Nuyina – Australia's Antarctic icebreaker. 2022-01-19. www.antarctica.gov.au. en.
  8. Web site: Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions. 2022-01-19. ANARE Club Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions. en-AU.
  9. Web site: RSV Nuyina launches new era in Antarctic science. 2022-01-19. www.antarctica.gov.au. en.
  10. Web site: Olds Engineering - Mechanical Engineers and Founders. 2022-01-19. www.olds.com.au.
  11. Web site: Scrap Metal & Smelting Services Auckland :: Hayes Metals. 2022-01-19. www.hayesmetals.com.au.
  12. Web site: National Engraving Co. 2022-01-19. National Engraving Co. en-US.
  13. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-29/tas-new-icebreaker-named/8999738 Boaty McBoatface: Australia sees the light on naming new icebreaker after southern aurora
  14. https://web.archive.org/web/20201130202313/https://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2020/rsv-nuyina-embarks-on-sea-trials/ RSV Nuyina embarks on sea trials
  15. Web site: Tupas. Nastasha . 2021-10-18. Serco's RSV Nuyina exceeds all capability expectations. 2022-01-03. Defence Connect. en.
  16. News: 2022-07-08 . Brand-new icebreaker breaks, again . en-AU . ABC News . 2023-03-04.
  17. News: 2023-01-31 . It was meant to be a 'Disneyland for scientists', but Australia's icebreaker is sitting out the Antarctic season . en-AU . ABC News . 2023-03-04.
  18. Web site: Australia’s Advanced Icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, Resumes Operations . 3 May 2023.
  19. Web site: Damen: Antarctic research vessel Nuyina is the most complex ship we ever built. SWZ Maritime. 28 May 2021. 8 February 2024.
  20. Web site: FOI documents reveal RSV Nuyina's $875k fuel cost blowout after Antarctic icebreaker banned from transiting Tasman Bridge. ABC. 7 November 2023. 8 February 2024.
  21. Web site: Australia's icebreaker Nuyina 'hit' Tasman Bridge multiple times during computer simulations. ABC. 2 December 2023. 8 February 2024.
  22. Web site: Australia’s $528m Antarctic icebreaker wider than initially designed as bridge impasse labelled ‘farcical’. The Guardian. 25 August 2023. 8 February 2024.
  23. News: Zhuang . Yan . 2023-09-04 . Perilous, Icy Mission Rescues Sick Worker in Antarctica . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-09-06 . 0362-4331.