A Royal Research Ship (RRS) is a
merchant navy vessel of the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
that conducts scientific research for
His Majesty's Government
His Majesty's Government, abbreviated to HM Government or otherwise UK Government, is the central government, central executive authority of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. . Organisations operating such ships include; the
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), the
British Antarctic Survey
The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is the United Kingdom's national polar research institute. It has a dual purpose, to conduct polar science, enabling better understanding of list of global issues, global issues, and to provide an active prese ...
(BAS) and the
National Oceanography Centre (NOC). A warrant from the monarch is required before a ship can be designated as an RRS.
Relationship with the Royal Navy
In the 1950s and 1960s the Royal Research Ships of the day were owned by the
Admiralty, partially managed by the
Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), and run as ships of that fleet.
The work of the Royal Research Ship operated by the British Antarctic Survey is complemented by a
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy (RN) is the naval warfare force of the United Kingdom. It is a component of His Majesty's Naval Service, and its officers hold their commissions from the King of the United Kingdom, King. Although warships were used by Kingdom ...
icebreaker, currently
HMS ''Protector'', which provides science logistics support to the British Antarctic Survey.
Current Royal Research Ships
All ships bear the
prefix "RRS" - Royal Research Ship.
File:RRS Sir David Attenborough at Liverpool Cruise Terminal 4.jpg, ''Sir David Attenborough''
File:RRS James Cook 1.jpg, ''James Cook''
File:RRS Discovery Leaving Liverpool.jpg, ''Discovery''
Notable former Royal Research Ships
* (1901)
*
RRS ''William Scoresby'' (1926)
* (1929)
* (1955)
* (1956)
* (1962)
* (1970)
* (1985)
* (1999)
* (1990)
See also
*
Marine Directorate
*
History of research ships
*
Research vessel
References
External links
* U
Natural Environment Research Council* U
National Oceanography Centre Southampton
Southampton is a port City status in the United Kingdom, city and unitary authority in Hampshire, England. It is located approximately southwest of London, west of Portsmouth, and southeast of Salisbury. Southampton had a population of 253, ...
* {{cite web, url=http://www.bas.ac.uk/living_and_working/research_ships/index.php, title=British Antarctic Survey Ships, publisher=BAS, access-date=2008-10-14, url-status=dead, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080617223816/http://www.bas.ac.uk/living_and_working/research_ships/index.php, archive-date=17 June 2008, df=dmy-all
National Marine Facilities Division
Research vessels of the United Kingdom
Science and technology in the United Kingdom