Research vessel R/V Argos - Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute
Original (non-English) name
Acronym
Research vessel R/V Argos - SMHI
Citation
Abstract
The Research vessel R/V Argos is owned by the Swedish Board of Fisheries and is Sweden’s largest and only ocean-going research vessel. Argos plays a central role in oceanographic research and scientific fish-related investigations.
Argos was built at Kalmar shipyard in 1974. In 1993 it was rebuilt and Argos is now a modern research vessel, over 60 m long and with 12 passenger cabins, making it the largest of its type in Sweden.
Research cruises are mainly carried out in the Baltic, the Kattegat, the Skagerrak and the eastern North Sea to survey the size, extent and changes in the fish population. In addition, the oceanography department at SMHI uses the vessel for extensive systematic hydrographic investigations and surveys of the seas surrounding Sweden.
Argos is built as a stern trawler and equipped for ocean research, in particular fisheries research and hydrographic investigations. The working deck is equipped for fishing with both the bottom and floating trawls. Trawling is monitored with net probes and a catch control system with spread sensors, opening sensors and catch sensors. The navigation equipment includes Decca, Shipmate, and GPS navigators with video plotters, an ARPA radar (10 cm) and two 3 cm daylight radars. The ship is also equipped with GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) and an Inmarsat-C communication system (International Maritime Organization).
The hydrographic equipment consists of a CTD probe that measures salinity (conductivity), temperature, the amount of chlorophyll in the water, turbidity, and oxygen level. Water samples are taken with a Hydro-bios water sampler. The wet lab is well equipped for carrying out numerous chemical analyses of water samples.