Noctiluca: a new research catamaran

Marine biologists at Swansea have a new vessel to help them work effectively in the tough conditions of the Bristol Channel, which is strongly affected by the adjacent Irish Sea, with its high waves and strong currents. RV Noctiluca was officially launched by the School of Biological Sciences, University of Wales, in April 2002. This state of art boat was built in Finland by Mobimar after an innovative design process conducted with close co-operation with the end-users. RV Noctiluca is a small diesel-powered catamaran. It is capable of speeds in excess of 20 knots and at a more modest speed of 16 knots it has a range of 500 nautical miles. The vessel provides a "floating laboratory", the deck of which serves as a highly-flexible working platform from which a wide range of sampling gear and oceanographic equipment can be deployed. Catamarans differ from single-hulled vessels in many ways: two narrow hulls permit a wide working area and high stability without making big waves at speed. Dynamic responses of catamarans in waves are also favourable for marine survey