(left to right) Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Jon Saunders, Master Antonio Gatti and Professor Andrew Willmott, Director of Science and Technology for the National Oceanography Centre (NOC)
The British Royal Research Ship RRS James Cook has now been berthed at Birkenhead Docks, providing an opportunity for staff from both the University and National Oceanography Centre (NOC) to tour the ocean-class research vessel.
Operated by the NOC as part of its remit to provide national marine scientific capability, the RRS James Cook is used by the science community for multi-disciplinary research relating to the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water, the atmosphere and climate.
The ship operates worldwide, undertaking both continental margin and deep ocean projects. Its maiden scientific voyage in 2007 was to study a hole in the Earth’s crust, and it was also involved in the discovery of what is believed to be the world’s deepest undersea volcanic vents.
The NOC is the UK’s leading institute for sea-level science, coastal and deep ocean research and technology development. Over the next few years it plans to mobilise and demobilise more cruises from the North West, so the RRS James Cook and its sister research vessel RRS Discovery will become regular visitors to the Birkenhead port.