The world’s most advanced research vessel, KAIMEI, efficiently performs wide-area seabed research into distribution of submarine resources, and has comprehensive scientific-research capabilities to elucidate the genesis of mineral and ore deposits.
The research vessel is equipped with sophisticated equipment and facilities as well as laboratories available to analyze samples soon after the collection. KAIMEI also helps contribute to climate change research and studies for prevention and reduction of disaster risks associated with earthquakes and tsunamis.
R/V KAIMEI is JAMSTEC’s first research vessel which can carry out not only conventional two-dimensional seismic surveys but also three-dimensional ones to image the internal structure of oceanic crust. The following three modes are available to serve different purposes.
[Four streamer cables of 3,000 meters in length]
[20 streamer cables of 300 meters in length]
[One streamer cable of 12,000 meters in length]
The following sampling equipment is used to collect samples of hydrothermal ore deposits off the coast of Okinawa or Izu-Ogasawara Islands, and samples of submarine resources for elucidation of the genesis of minor metals (rare metals) in cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts often found on seamounts in the northwestern Pacific Ocean.
Maximum water depth: 3,000 meters
Coring depth: 30 meters (with a core diameter of 60 millimeters)
Maximum water depth: 6,000 meters
Maximum volume: 1 cubic meter
Two types, one with a clamshell bucket and the other with a six-finger basket
12,000 meter-long high-strength fiber rope
The sampler is 40 meters long with a large diameter of 110 millimeters.
12,000 meter-long high-strength fiber rope
CTD/water sampler (36 bottles with a volume of 12 litters)
Maximum water depth: 3,000 meters
The research vessel is always equipped with a 3,000 meter-class remotely operated vehicle useful for observing the seabed through cameras and collecting biological and mineral resources samples.
3,000 meter-class remotely operated vehicle, multi-beam echo-sounder (12/50 kHz), acoustic doppler current profiler (38/150 kHz), transponder system, shipboard gravimeter and magnetometer, CTD/water sampler, analytical and experimental equipment, meteorological and atmospheric observation equipment, and container laboratory.
No. 1, 2 and 3 laboratories, surface seawater analyzing room, research room, and equipment maintenance room
Anti-rolling system and shipboard wireless LAN system