Research Vessels
The “Aegean Explorer” is Archipelagos’ main research vessel, leading our at-sea conservation action. It was reconstructed and repurposed by Archipelagos in 2019 and since then has played an active role in the mission to address multiple knowledge gaps and promote the protection of key habitats and species.
The Aegean Explorer is equipped with an array of important scientific tools including a multibeam sonar, biomass scanner, structure scanner, multiple ROV systems, underwater robotic camera system, drones, onboard lab, multiprobe sensors and autonomous surface vehicle for sonar-based monitoring. Its crane system has lifting capacity up to 1 tonne and can deploy gear up to 1000m. The on-board wet-lab and water quality lab are used for biological and water quality analyses in chemical microbiological & microplastic pollution.
This vessel offers the possibility for research groups to carry out multi-day surveys at sea, therefore enabling the Archipelagos team to extend research and conservation work to various parts of the Greek seas.
Vessel Name: The Aegean Explorer
Type: Motor Boat
Length: 21.74 m
Width: 5.68 m
Engines: 2* Caterpillar 450HP
Generators: 1*22 kVA & 1*6 kVA
Draft: 2.68 m
Weight: 60 tonnes
Water capacity: 2.5 tonnes
Fuel capacity: 4 tonnes
Accommodation- Total crew capacity: 25; Facilities: GIS lab, wet lab/ water quality lab, office area, cabins sleeping 19, kitchen, 4 WC
Other- Desalination unit, Bow thrust, Stabilizer, Hydraulic anchor winch, 2 Radar Units 36 knots
“Pinelopi” is one of Archipelagos 2 sailing boats dedicated to marine mammal research and marine conservation work. In operation since 2000, she is one of Archipelagos’ first boats and continues to be a fundamental part of the team’s research work. She is a traditional two-masted sailing vessel (schooner) made of steel, constructed as a replica of a renowned sailing boat that dates from 1811. She is a unique vessel that got a new lease on life when Archipelagos retrofitted it after it was sold for scrap in the late 1990’s. This vessel supports field actions for the protection of the Greek seas, even under the most challenging weather conditions.
Pinelopi is equipped with a towed Hydrophone Array System (340m cable, 4 channels – including capabilities of low frequency & high frequency hydrophones, pressure sensor, waterproof signal processing box, measurement computing and NUC minicomputer), Aquarian AS-1 hydrophone (20m cable), real-time acoustic monitoring system and a marine mammal observation platform.
Vessel Name: Pinelopi
Type: Traditional, steel dual-mast sailing boat
Builder: Perama, Athens 1979
Length overall: 16 m
Width: 5 m
Engines: Ford Fumoko 140 hp
Crew capacity: 14
“Naftilos” is one of Archipelagos’ 2 sailing boats dedicated to marine mammal research. It was refurbished for this purpose by Archipelagos in 2017 and since has been carrying out survey work in various regions of the Greek Seas and the Mediterranean. One of its most challenging trips covered the seas between Crete, Libya and Malta, in the framework of the ACCOBAMS Survey Initiative: the first large-scale parallel census of cetacean populations throughout the Mediterranean Sea.
It is equipped with a towed Hydrophone Array System (340m cable, 4 channels – including capabilities of low frequency & high frequency hydrophones, pressure sensor, waterproof signal processing box, measurement computing and NUC minicomputer), Aquarian AS-1 hydrophone (20m cable), real-time acoustic monitoring system and a marine mammal observation platform.
“Naftilos” is not an ordinary sailing boat. It was built in Belgium 40 years ago as a “one-off” construction with special features that allow it to travel with low cost, over long and difficult trips in the world’s seas and oceans. It has three times the hull thickness than conventional sail boats, with reinforced sails, and a hull that is divided into 26 separate compartments. Its large fuel and water storage capacity enables it great autonomy and the ability to travel continuously for weeks without requiring fueling stops.
Vessel Name: Naftilos
Type: Ketch Sailing Boat
Length: 15.25 m
Width: 3.80 m
Draft: 2.10 m
Weight: 26 tonnes
Engine: 90 hp Toyota
Water capacity: 1 ton
Fuel capacity: 1 ton
Crew capacity (24hr surveys) : 8
Crew capacity daily surveys : 12
Okeanos, is a 12m Bertram motorboat. It supports several Archipelagos projects, including the mapping of seagrass meadows and coralligene reefs, as well as the assessment of fish biomass, through the use of a multibeam sonar, a biomass scanner, a structure scanner and an ROV. It is also used for monitoring IUU fisheries practices. The boat is fully equipped with all navigation, safety and communication requirements (including 1 generator Onan 6.5 kWA, radar, GPS, plotter, autopilot).
Manufacturer: Bertram
Type: Motorboat
Overall Length: 12m
Engine: 2* Iveco 335 hp
Crew Capacity: 12
The speedboat, Asterias, is used to support various surveys of Archipelagos’ research teams. It can quickly access sampling sites on islands and islets, as well as transport team members participating in different conservation actions.
Vessel Name: Asterias
Type: Speedboat
Length overall: 7.20 m
Engines: 150 hp
