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ARTICLES AND
NEWS
Research Vessels
Celtic Voyager
2007
 ŠJ.McGrath
RV Celtic Voyager
LtoR Liam Maloney- Chief Officer, Ted Sweeney- Chief Engineer, Paddy Cod- Chief
Cook.
All ex. Irish Shipping ltd. crew, now working the Celtic Voyager.
The Celtic Voyager is a 31.4m multi-purpose research vessel. She has wet, dry
and chemical laboratories, which are permanently fitted with standard scientific
equipment. She can accommodate 6 - 8 scientists and has a maximum range of 17
days. She is manned by a very experienced crew. They are highly skilled with the
handling and deployment of scientific equipment.
The Celtic Voyager facilitates the collection of fisheries, geophysical,
oceanographic and environmental data and provides practical training for the
next generation of marine scientists. This research is of crucial national
importance, to ensure the development of Ireland's vast natural resource in a
sustainable manner
Celtic Voyager Technical Specifications
| Length o.a. |
31.4 m |
| Beam |
8.5 m |
| Draught |
3.8 m |
| Gross tonnage |
340 T |
| Type |
Steel hull, multi-chined construction, single screw |
| Speed |
≤10 knots |
| Lloyds classification |
100A1 Research Vessel, LMC |
| Accommodation |
15: 8 scientists, 7 crew. Scientists quarters:
4 two-man berths. |
| Endurance |
14 days |
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Lough Beltra
1976
The "Lough Beltra" was launched from Hakvoort Shipyard, Holland in 1973. She is a seventy foot steel
stern trawler and was used as"such by Howth Fisheries Limited until 1976 when she was acquired by the
National Science Council.
The National Science Council was established in 1967 to advise the Government on science and
technology, with particular reference to economic development. The "Lough Beltra" was taken over by
the Council on 1st June, 1976 and Irish Shipping have attended to the operational needs of the vessel
since then with regard to manning and services. The vessel is propelled by a 425 H.P. marine caterpillar
engine and has a service speed of 10 knots. She is fully controlled from the bridge and has the most up-to-
date navigational equipment including a Decca Auto Pilot, Track Plotter, Navigator and Radar. There
is accommodation for eight people on board including a crew of three the Master, Engineer and Cook. In
addition there are five scientists and in the vessels operations so far these experts have come from the
Geological Survey of Ireland, the Department of Oceanography, U.C.G., Department of Microbiology,
Department of Zoology and the Fisheries Division. The Geological Survey of Ireland were working on
the East Coast and on the proposed Kinsale pipeline using an overboard side scanner so that they could
examine the sea bed to a depth of three feet. The Department of Zoology were involved in
deepwater benthic dredging while the Oceanography Department were interested in taking water and
plankton samples.
   
The Fisheries Division were taking core samples and after these have been dried they help to
determine
the mercury and iron content. In addition to this type of scientific research it is also expected
that charts of
the different sea areas and information will be compiled on the history and movement
of marine life around our coasts.
This work will undoubtedly take a considerable length of time and the present research being undertaken
aboard the "Lough Beltra" is a very important first step in providing information which is vital to the
future development of our marine resources.
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