Mid-Life Refit updates

During 2024, research vessel (RV) Investigator commenced works for a middle of life refit (Mid-Life Refit) project to coincide with the completion of 10 years of operational service. Works for the Mid-Life Refit project commenced during the vessel's scheduled dry docking in 2024, which was conducted as part of the vessel's programmed 5-yearly maintenance and inspection cycle.

Overview

The Mid-Life Refit (MLR) project will ensure that RV Investigator continues to provide cutting edge scientific capabilities that enable Australia to conduct vital ocean and atmospheric research in our region. The initial phase of the MLR project was established to deliver a program of capital investment in capability enhancements and upgrades for RV Investigator during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 financial years.

This initial program of works was scheduled for the vessel's dry docking during 2024 and long maintenance period from December 2024 to February 2025.

A final phase of the MLR project, and subsequent future capability enhancements, will involve consultation with the research community to incorporate their advice and expertise to inform further scientific upgrades made to RV Investigator in 2025-26 and 2026-27. This consultation will seek to determine their current and future research capability needs.

Consultation

Consultation and gathering of feedback to inform the MLR is being undertaken through several means, including:

• End of Voyage (EOV) reports from researchers
• feedback solicited from ship users and partners
• advice from the MNF Technology and Innovation Advisory Group (TIAG).

The TIAG plays an integral role in advising the Marine National Facility on capital investment decisions for equipment, infrastructure, underway sensors and science capability upgrades over the remaining life of RV Investigator.

All feedback and advice is combined with the wealth of experience and lessons learned by CSIRO during more than 10 years of operation of RV Investigator.

The Mid-Life Refit project of RV Investigator is funded by the Australian Government through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Investment Strategy (NCRIS).

Summary of MLR works

See below for works that have been completed or are scheduled under the MLR project. Please note that this is a summary list only and not a complete schedule of works.

Works completed during 2024 dry docking | July-Sept 2024

• Installation of deep-water multibeam echosounder Kongsberg EM124: The existing gondola-mounted deep-water multibeam echosounder (Kongsberg EM122) had reached the end of its useful life and was replaced with its successor, the EM124. EM124 is a high-resolution full ocean depth multibeam echosounder that is capable of operating from shallow to full ocean depth. RV Investigator is one of only two Australian research vessels with this capability.
• Installation of mid-water multibeam echosounder Kongsberg EM712: The existing gondola-mounted mid-water multibeam echosounder (Kongsberg EM710) had reached the end of its useful life and was replaced with its successor, the EM712.  EM712 is a high to very high-resolution seabed mapping system capable of meeting all relevant survey standards. The minimum acquisition depth is from less than 3 m below its transducers, to a maximum of 2000 m.
• Installation of shallow-water multibeam echosounder Kongsberg EM2040 MkII: The existing drop keel mounted shallow-water multibeam echosounder (Kongsberg EM2040) had reached the end of its useful life and was replaced with its successor, the EM2040 MKII. EM2040 MKII is a high-resolution shallow water multibeam capability for shelf mapping activities. The system was installed in the gondola to provide a permanent capability for dedicated shallow water survey applications.
• Installation of Sub-Bottom Profiler Kongsberg SBP29: The existing gondola-mounted sub-bottom profile (Kongsberg SBP120), which was integrated with the existing EM122 and EM710 systems, had reached the end of its useful life.  A new SBP29 system was installed in conjunction with the EM124 installation.
• Installation of Drop Keel Mounted ADCP OS38: The OS38 is a 38 kHz acoustic doppler current profiler (ADCP) with a depth range of 1000-1600 m. It was installed into the starboard drop keel. 
• Hydrophone upgrades: The vessel's hydrophones were replaced and upgraded during dry docking.
• Removal of back deck protrusions to improve workflows and safety: The project involved relocation and modification of deck protrusions and fittings to create greater flexibility in the utilisation of deck space and to mitigate associated workplace safety hazards.
• Painting of vessel superstructure and hull: Entire vessel superstructure and hull were repainted, with small modifications to vessel livery and raising of antifouling line on hull.

Works scheduled for Long Maintenance Period | Dec 2024-Feb 2025

• C-Band VSAT antenna upgrade.
• Fitting of Vertical Sediment Winch.
• HVAC Chilled Water System maintenance and upgrades.
• Exhaust stack extension to improve venting of exhaust away from vessel.
• Modifications to Sheltered Science Space to improve drainage, overhead crane and roller door modifications.
• Underway Instrument Clean Seawater System refurbishment.

Works approved but not yet scheduled | Date TBC

• Refurbishment of livings spaces including lounges, cabins, Mess, Ship’s Office and Bridge furnishings.
• Refurbishment of technical spaces ie laboratories.
• C-Band Weather Radar upgrade.

Further information

The scientific enhancements and upgrades to RV Investigator for delivery in 2025-26 and 2026-27 will be informed by the MNF Technology and Innovation Advisory Group (TIAG).

For further information, visit the TIAG webpage and keep up to date with developments by subscribing to the MNF mailing list.

During 2024, research vessel (RV) Investigator commenced works for a middle of life refit (Mid-Life Refit) project to coincide with the completion of 10 years of operational service. Works for the Mid-Life Refit project commenced during the vessel's scheduled dry docking in 2024, which was conducted as part of the vessel's programmed 5-yearly maintenance and inspection cycle.

Overview

The Mid-Life Refit (MLR) project will ensure that RV Investigator continues to provide cutting edge scientific capabilities that enable Australia to conduct vital ocean and atmospheric research in our region. The initial phase of the MLR project was established to deliver a program of capital investment in capability enhancements and upgrades for RV Investigator during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 financial years.

This initial program of works was scheduled for the vessel's dry docking during 2024 and long maintenance period from December 2024 to February 2025.

A final phase of the MLR project, and subsequent future capability enhancements, will involve consultation with the research community to incorporate their advice and expertise to inform further scientific upgrades made to RV Investigator in 2025-26 and 2026-27. This consultation will seek to determine their current and future research capability needs.

Consultation

Consultation and gathering of feedback to inform the MLR is being undertaken through several means, including:

• End of Voyage (EOV) reports from researchers
• feedback solicited from ship users and partners
• advice from the MNF Technology and Innovation Advisory Group (TIAG).

The TIAG plays an integral role in advising the Marine National Facility on capital investment decisions for equipment, infrastructure, underway sensors and science capability upgrades over the remaining life of RV Investigator.

All feedback and advice is combined with the wealth of experience and lessons learned by CSIRO during more than 10 years of operation of RV Investigator.

The Mid-Life Refit project of RV Investigator is funded by the Australian Government through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Investment Strategy (NCRIS).

Summary of MLR works

See below for works that have been completed or are scheduled under the MLR project. Please note that this is a summary list only and not a complete schedule of works.

Works completed during 2024 dry docking | July-Sept 2024

• Installation of deep-water multibeam echosounder Kongsberg EM124: The existing gondola-mounted deep-water multibeam echosounder (Kongsberg EM122) had reached the end of its useful life and was replaced with its successor, the EM124. EM124 is a high-resolution full ocean depth multibeam echosounder that is capable of operating from shallow to full ocean depth. RV Investigator is one of only two Australian research vessels with this capability.
• Installation of mid-water multibeam echosounder Kongsberg EM712: The existing gondola-mounted mid-water multibeam echosounder (Kongsberg EM710) had reached the end of its useful life and was replaced with its successor, the EM712.  EM712 is a high to very high-resolution seabed mapping system capable of meeting all relevant survey standards. The minimum acquisition depth is from less than 3 m below its transducers, to a maximum of 2000 m.
• Installation of shallow-water multibeam echosounder Kongsberg EM2040 MkII: The existing drop keel mounted shallow-water multibeam echosounder (Kongsberg EM2040) had reached the end of its useful life and was replaced with its successor, the EM2040 MKII. EM2040 MKII is a high-resolution shallow water multibeam capability for shelf mapping activities. The system was installed in the gondola to provide a permanent capability for dedicated shallow water survey applications.
• Installation of Sub-Bottom Profiler Kongsberg SBP29: The existing gondola-mounted sub-bottom profile (Kongsberg SBP120), which was integrated with the existing EM122 and EM710 systems, had reached the end of its useful life.  A new SBP29 system was installed in conjunction with the EM124 installation.
• Installation of Drop Keel Mounted ADCP OS38: The OS38 is a 38 kHz acoustic doppler current profiler (ADCP) with a depth range of 1000-1600 m. It was installed into the starboard drop keel. 
• Hydrophone upgrades: The vessel's hydrophones were replaced and upgraded during dry docking.
• Removal of back deck protrusions to improve workflows and safety: The project involved relocation and modification of deck protrusions and fittings to create greater flexibility in the utilisation of deck space and to mitigate associated workplace safety hazards.
• Painting of vessel superstructure and hull: Entire vessel superstructure and hull were repainted, with small modifications to vessel livery and raising of antifouling line on hull.

Works scheduled for Long Maintenance Period | Dec 2024-Feb 2025

• C-Band VSAT antenna upgrade.
• Fitting of Vertical Sediment Winch.
• HVAC Chilled Water System maintenance and upgrades.
• Exhaust stack extension to improve venting of exhaust away from vessel.
• Modifications to Sheltered Science Space to improve drainage, overhead crane and roller door modifications.
• Underway Instrument Clean Seawater System refurbishment.

Works approved but not yet scheduled | Date TBC

• Refurbishment of livings spaces including lounges, cabins, Mess, Ship’s Office and Bridge furnishings.
• Refurbishment of technical spaces ie laboratories.
• C-Band Weather Radar upgrade.

Further information

The scientific enhancements and upgrades to RV Investigator for delivery in 2025-26 and 2026-27 will be informed by the MNF Technology and Innovation Advisory Group (TIAG).

For further information, visit the TIAG webpage and keep up to date with developments by subscribing to the MNF mailing list.