Japan recently pledged to procure a new research support ship specifically to bolster its deep-sea exploration capabilities. This program is trying to do something about that ugly aging research mother ship in Yokosuka, Japan. Yet it fails to keep pace with the growing demands of today’s advanced and integrated marine science.
The new vessel will be outfitted with the latest in underwater technology. This technology includes autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), remotely-operated underwater vehicles (ROVs), and crewed submersible research vessels like the Shinkai 6500. Combined with these enhancements, the ship is poised, climate permitting, to make historic advances in efficiency and efficiency in the exploration of marine resources.
As it stands, given the current Yokosuka’s configuration, it can only simultaneously carry one probe vehicle. This limitation usually increases the length of research expeditions, thus limiting the time available to discover or sample more. As an example, while the Atlantis could fit two deep-sea probe vehicles on board, the new research support ship would accommodate several at once. This leap forward will cut in half the number of days required for each expedition. The net effect is that researchers are able to do bigger studies in shorter time.
Despite that unfriendly name, the new vessel’s main goal will be to search for rare earths. These elements are essential for numerous high-tech applications. It will facilitate the exploration of other marine resources, further solidifying Japan’s commitment to sustainable development and technological advancement in oceanic research.
Dai Kuwamura recently captured a photo of the Yokosuka, highlighting its current operational state and underscoring the need for an upgrade. As this vessel ages, Japan recognizes that enhancing its marine research fleet is crucial to maintaining its leadership in deep-sea exploration.