The non-profit Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI) research vessel Falkor also utilizes German propulsion technology using a Voith-Schneider propeller (VSP), which combines propulsion and steering into one unit.
The 110-meter-long and 20-meter-wide Falkor (Thu) research vessel, originally called Polar Queen, was built by Norwegian shipping company GC Lieber and acquired by SOI in 2021. Since then, the Institute was founded in 2009 by Google CEO Eric Schmidt. He and his wife, Wendy Schmidt, operate the ship year-round to fund oceanographic research.
The 980 square meter ship has space for 98 people, including a 105 square meter main laboratory, wet lab, scientific seawater lab, computer electronics lab, robotics lab and cold lab for biological research. Eight laboratories have been established.
Falkor (also) has a special system for microplastic water analysis, as well as three multibeam echosounder arrays, 11 tons of sonar, and 15 other acoustic sensors.
SOI said its priorities when seeking appropriate propulsion technology for vessels are minimizing underwater noise emissions, maximum maneuverability, precise positioning, and active roll stabilization.
Two VSP 36R6 ECR/300-2s at the stern provide the necessary thrust for the research vessel, and the ship’s propellers have undergone a comprehensive overall overhaul.
Dan Buehler, the ship’s chief engineer, said: But what I can say today is that both the bridge staff and I are constantly amazed by its minimal vibration and low noise. ”
Voith’s system will also power the German government-owned research vessel Meteor IV, currently under construction at Mayer Werft’s Neptune shipyard in Rostock and scheduled to be launched in 2026. The research vessel, which is 125 meters long and weighs 10,000 deadweight tons, will carry out various experiments. -Functional and interdisciplinary tasks focused on environmental and climate issues.
