RV Hakuho Maru
A World-Class Oceanographic Research Vessel
With the establishment of the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) in 2004, Hakuho Maru and Tansei Maru (retired in 2013) were transferred from The Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo to the JAMSTEC. Hakuho Maru conducts oceanographic research, focusing on atmospheric and oceanic sciences as a joint-use vessel for researchers nationwide. Equipped with a variety of observation instruments and instrument winches, Hakuho Maru can conduct a wide range of oceanographic observations, not only throughout the water column, but also below the seabed, and up into the atmosphere. For more than 30 years, Hakuho Maru has taken hundreds of scientists and students on research cruises all around the globe, including the seas around Japan, the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the polar seas.
Main equipment
Hakuho Maru is equipped with multiple laboratories (#1-#10), which can be used for different purposes and tasks. A multi-purpose laboratory is available for researchers to bring in their own research and analytical equipment. Hakuho Maru also has a dedicated CTD water sampler room.
1A-Frame Crane
Observation and sampling instruments such as biological collection nets, are lowered from the A-frame crane to collect samples and data.
2Laboratories
Out of 10 laboratories on Hakuho Maru, Lab #7 is designated as the wet lab for wet processing and measurements such as seawater treatment of samples collected and cutting of geological samples. Labs #5 and #6 are designated for chemical analyses and microbial processing. Lab #3 consists of CTD and a shipboard station that receives observation data from, for example, a sub-bottom profiler (SBP).