Published: Sunday September 12, 2010 MYT 12:34:00 PM
UMT research vessel set for maiden voyage at year-end
KUALA TERENGGANU: The research and training ship of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) is expected to make its maiden voyage at the end of this year.
The RV Discovery is now at the dock of Kay Marine Sdn Bhd here where the 35-metre long 300-tonne vessel is being built at a cost of RM13mil since September 2008.
UMT vice-chancellor Prof Dr Aziz Deraman said the maiden voyage would be on the South China Sea and may include visits to Sarawak and Sabah, and added that a trip could be made to Langkawi as well.
Several crew and a number of scientists would be on board, he said.
"Equipped with dry and wet laboratories and a room for processing all accumulated data, the vessel will make UMT the top Malaysian university in oceanography studies," he told Bernama.
"It will also provide exposure and training to students taking up Maritime Science, Marine Biology, Nautical Science, Maritime Transportation and Maritime Technology," he said.
Prof Aziz said the RV Discovery was the first vessel in Malaysia dedicated to oceanography studies and could travel more than 4,000 nautical miles and be at sea for a long period of time.
"It is equipped with electronic maps, travel aids, water depth measuring devices, water temperature detectors and listening devices able to function 30,000 metres below the surface of the sea," he said.
The RV Discovery, equipped with comfortable cabins, can accommodate 12 crew and 23 trainees at any one time.
Prof Aziz said UMT was preparing an oceanography database on the South China Sea and a working paper would be sent to the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry to ensure that the database met the country's requirements. - Bernama
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