Capable of working throughout New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in conditions ranging from subtropical to subantarctic, Research Vessel Tangaroa is well equipped for a wide range of stock assessment work. Because some of New Zealand’s most important commercial fish species (such as orange roughy) are found at great depths, Tangaroa can trawl down to 2000 m. It can also accommodate a wide range of commercial and research midwater and bottom trawl gear. Powerful, low pressure hydraulic winches feature up-to-date autotrawl technology. Electronic monitoring systems give full information on gear depth, doorspread and net opening. Tangaroa is also fully equipped for fisheries acoustic work. Recent modifications for marine geological research include a deepwater coring system (to 5000 m) and air compressors for seismic surveys.
| Name of Vessel | RV Tangaroa |
| Owner | NIWA Vessel Management Ltd. |
| Flag | New Zealand |
| Call Sign | ZMFR |
| Port of Registry | Wellington |
| Classification | DNV – 1A1 (stern trawler/research vessel) + Ice 1C (light ice) |
| Year of Construction | 1991 |
| Length | 70.0 metres |
| Beam | 13.8 metres |
| Draft | 7.2 metres |
| Hull | Ice Strengthened |
| Gross Tonnage | 2282 tonnes |
| Nett Tonnage | 684 tonnes |
| Cruising speed | 12-13 knots |
| Main Engines | Wartsila Vasa 8R 32D 4023 bhp |
| Main Generator | Shaft generator Leroy-Somer 1800 KVA |
| Auxiliary Generator | Cummins KTA 38 GI / Leroy-Somer 900 KVA |
| Harbour Generator | Cummins 400 KVA |
| Propeller | Wartsila Wichman PR 90/4 |
| Bow Thruster | Brunvoll 368 KW |
| Compressor | William James compressor, supplies 2,000 PSI for seismic guns. |
| Freshwater Capacity | 82 cubic metres |
| Water Maker | 10 cubic metres per 24 hours (approx) |
| Fuel Capacity | 681 cubic metres |
| Freezing Capacity | 485 cubic metres |
| Accommodation | 44 total comprising 22 single berths and 11 double berths |
| Endurance | 60 days |
| Rescue Boat | Rigid bottom inflatable SOLAS |
| Work Boat | 6 metre rigid bottom Zodiac |
| Medical Room | Hospital bed with basic medical facilities |
Electronic Equipment
| Gyro | Sperry RPG 90 |
| Autopilot | AP 9 MK2 |
| Electro-Magnetic log | Atlas Naviknot 11/NF |
| Doppler Log | CI 30 |
| Net Monitors | Scanmar system Furuno CN22 Kaijo Denki |
| Radars | Furuno 2830 S Furuno 1530 D |
| Video Plotter | Seaplot |
| Graphic Plotter | Royland Mod DYX 1300 |
| Echo sounders (ship) | Kaijo Denki KMC 2000 (200kHz) |
| GPS | Magnavox 4200 Furuno GP 500 |
| Weather Fax | Furuno Fax. 208A |
| Meterological Station | Automatic weather station |
Communication Facilities
| Cell phone Fax |
+64 27 442 7510 – Bridge +64 27 236 4966 |
| Fleet 77 Voice Fax |
008 707 646 32684 008 707 646 32685 master.tangaroa@niwa.amosconnect.com |
| Satcom System C e-mail | Thrane & Thrane 3020A 451200427@internet-C.com |
| Main Radio | Furuno FS1562 – (GMDSS compliant) |
| VHF | Furuno FM8500 – (GMDSS compliant) |
| Watch Receiver | Furuno AA50 – (GMDSS compliant) |
| Data System | Datacom software research Unix-Dos-Windows Network |
| Intercom System | Vingtor KCN 300 |
Winching Equipment
Main Trawl/Net Winches
All permanent winches by Hydraulic Brattvagg
| 2 Main Trawl Winches – each 4,000 metres 28mm 6x19 wire rope, self tensioning |
| 2 Gilson Winches |
| 4 Sweepline Winches |
| 1 Outhaul Winch |
| 1 Codend Winch |
| 1 Windlass |
| 2 Net drum Winches |
Scientific Winches
| Acoustic Winch (starboard, stern) |
capable of carrying Rochester 1200 metres 12.5mm faired cable; or 2,000 metres 12.5mm unfaired, and provided with sliprings (12 analogue and 2 optical channels) |
| Acoustic Winch (port, stern) |
capable of carrying Rochester 1200 metres 12.5mm faired cable; or 2,000 metres 12.5mm unfaired, and provided with sliprings (12 analogue and 2 optical channels) |
| Acoustic Winch (starboard, midships) |
Rochester 1200 metres 12.5mm faired cable; or 2,000 metres 12.5mm unfaired, provided with sliprings (12 analogue and 2 optical channels) |
| CTD Winch (starboard, midships) |
5,000 m, 10.5-mm diameter, provided with sliprings (12 analogue and 2 optical channels) |
| Hydrology Winch (starboard, midships) |
3,000 metres 6mm wire, or 1,500 metres of 10 mm nylon rope |
Lifting Equipment
| A-Frame | 4.0m (W) x 6m (H) Midships starboard mounted. Lifting capacity 5 tonnes |
| A-Frame | 1.4m (W) x 5m (H) Hull starboard mounted. Lifting capacity 3 tonnes, 5 m outreach, for deploying deep towed equipment |
| J-Frame | 3.2m (W) x 3.0m (H) Stern mounted. Lifting capacity 1.5 tonnes. |
| 1 Seacrane | Stern portside mounted, lifting capacity 2 tonnes |
| 1 Seacrane | Front deck mounted, lifting capacity 1.5 tonnes |
| 1 Seacrane | Starboard mounted, lifting capacity 12 tonnes |
Hydrographic Sounders
| Single-Beam Echo sounders | Simrad EK 500 (Scientific): 12, 27, 38 and 120kHz Simrad EA 500 (Hydrographic): 12 and 120kHz |
| Multi-Beam Echo sounder | SIMRAD EM300: 30kHz |
| Survey navigation systems | HydroPro and HydroMap |
| Motion compensation | TSS DMS TSS POSMV system |
| Sound velocity calibration | Expendable Bathythermographs (XBTs) Digibar DB-1100 AML SVplus sound velocity profiler |
Automatic Weather Station
Carries sensors for wind speed and direction, barometric pressure, relative humidity and air temperature and solar radiation, sea-surface temperature, while other sensors can be provided as requested.
Scientific Work Areas and Laboratories
CTD Enclosure
The CTDs are deployed through the mid-ships starboard A-frame and when recovered the CTD is moved into the CTD-enclosure, which is connected to the hydro/dry-laboratory (see below).
Wet laboratories
Tangaroa has excellent facilities for the sorting, preserving, processing and storage of fish, plankton and other biological material. Several laboratories were specifically designed for and are used as wet laboratories. Two laboratories are on the starboard side on the main trawl deck; one commonly used as a CTD-laboratory or as a wet hydro-lab (5.7m x 1.5m), the other a plankton lab (4.7 m x 1.7m). A sizable temperature controlled wet laboratory (3.4m x 3.0m) is also provided on the starboard side of the trawl deck. All laboratories have workbenches, cold and warm running water, and ample space for storage of containers and equipment.
For the sorting and processing of fish the trawl is emptied onto deck and the fish stored through hatches in three receiving bins of a total capacity of 75m3 and provided with a refrigerated salt water re-circulation system. Upon removal from a receiving bin, the fish is sorted semi-automatic by hand, with the selected specimen kept in smaller holding tanks for further scientific study. The remaining fish are processed using the fish factory that can process up to 16 tonnes of fish per day. The freezer hold has a capacity of 350 tonnes of processed fish product.
On the fish processing deck three laboratories are available. The main wet laboratory (6.2m x 7.1m) contains large weighing and dissecting tables and is used for all major fish studies. Two more laboratories are provided: one wet laboratory (4.2m x 3.2m) and one dry laboratory (3.5 x 3.2m).
A medium-size scientific freezer, adjacent to the main wet laboratory, is designed to remain at a constant temperature between –30 and +5°C.
Dry Laboratories and Computer Areas/Rooms
Tangaroa has five dedicated dry laboratories/computer areas. On the bridge a large computer area (6.5m x 4.1m) is available from where the Chief Scientists and support staff direct all scientific operations and process the main data.
One hydro/dry laboratory (6.0m x 3.2m) is available on the trawl deck, while one terminal room (4.5m x 4.5m) is provided on the main deck. The below main-deck contains the main computer/EM300 control room (4.5m x 5.7m) and the electronics laboratory (4.5m x 6.0m).
Dark Room
The vessel’s dark room (5.5m x 2.5m) is situated on the trawl deck.
Radioisotope laboratory
As a radioisotope laboratory (3.2m x 2.8m) the chemical preparation and storage laboratory has been used, which is located on the trawl deck, and is provided with benches and fume cabinet.
Temperature Controlled Laboratory
The port wet lab on the trawl deck can maintain a controlled temperature between –5°C and +5°C (with an accuracy of plus/minus 1.0°C).
Container Laboratories
Tangaroa can carry up to three 20ft container laboratories on the trawl deck.
Antarctic Emergency Survival Container
For operating in the Antarctic NIWA has built one 20ft Emergency Survival Container. This Container is designed to provide all basic survival facilities and food for the entire vessel’s complement, should the vessel experience a total “black-out”, i.e. no engine power.
Communal Areas
Tangaroa has a range of communal spaces available, including:
- Mess Room
- Three lounges, each provided with television and video, one smoking lounge.
- Conference room (6.7m x 3.2m), seats fourteen.
- Ships office (3.1m x 3.2m).
- Fitness centre
- Japanese bath
- Sauna
Scientific Sea Water Supply
A sea water pumping system with a capacity of approximately 30m3 per hour for scientific purpose is built in the vessel.
Additional Equipment (Mobilised as required)
| Side Scan Sonar | Klein dual frequency side scan sonar. C-MAX side scan sonar |
| Subbottom profiler systems | 3.5 kHz, ORE sub-bottom profiler, Model 140, Geo Acoustics profiler Various small airgun systems |
| Multi-channel Seismic System | Hydroscience/Geometrics/ Seismic Systems – 48 channel, total length 625m |
| Compressor | Containerised Reavell 5436 75.8 cuft/min @ 2,000 psi. |
| Magnetometer | SeaSPY towed system |
| Gravity Meter | LaCoste and Romberg marine gravity meter |
| Seabed sampling | Rock dredges, grab samplers and gravity, piston and box corers |
| Sonobuoy System | Sparton AN/SSQ-53 |
| Tide measurements | Current, level, etc meters |
