PHOTO: RV Sonne in Wilhelmshaven

On Tuesday and Wednesday last week about 3700 people set out for the Bremen port to visit the newly built German deep-sea research vessel SONNE.

A visitor’s circuit led them up to the bridge, through the labs, where a marine research exhibition was presented, and to more exhibits on the working deck.

On November 17, the new German research vessel SONNE was placed in service in Wilhelmshaven, after which the vessel started a two-week trip through German ports and can be visited at open days.

The ship survey offers a unique insight into the life and work on board a research ship. Visitors can take a look at the bridge, the work deck and the hangar throw. In the laboratories and on deck an extensive exhibition offers exciting topics such as climate and ocean seabed exploration or biological diversity in the deep sea. Exhibition contents come from the North German marine research facilities.

After Chancellor Angela Merkel had baptized the SUN on July 11 this year, the ship was on a nautical and scientific test drives. On Monday, November 17, an official handover ceremony was held, attended by the Minister of Education and Research, Johanna Wanka.

The 116 meters long and 20.6 meters wide, deep-sea research vessel can accommodate 40 people. In the future it will be on the road, especially in operational areas in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Subsea World News Staff