研究プラットフォーム運用部門
Institute for Marine-Earth Exploration and Engineering (MarE3)

Research Vessels

Our Research Fleet

Deep-sea Scientific Drilling Vessel Chikyu

Main objective
Deepwater seafloor drilling
Built
2005
Length
210.0 m
Beam
38.0 m
Depth
16.2 m
Draft
9.2 m
Gross tonnage
56,752 tons
Cruising speed
8 knots
Accommodation (for researchers)
200 (50)
Propulsion System
Electric
Propulsion Device
6 x Azimuth Thrusters

Research Vessel Kaimei

Main objective
Subseafloor surveys
Built
2016
Length
100.5 m
Beam
20.5 m
Depth
9.0 m
Draft
6.3 m
Gross tonnage
5,747 tons
Cruising speed
12 knots
Accommodation (for researchers)
65(38)
Propulsion System
Electric
Propulsion Device
2 x Azimuth Thrusters

Support Vessel Yokosuka

Main objective
Deep-sea surveys
Built
1990
Length
105.2 m
Beam
16.0 m
Depth
7.3 m
Draft
4.7 m
Gross tonnage
4,439 tons
Cruising speed
12 knots
Accommodation (for researchers)
60 (15)
Propulsion System
Diesel
Propulsion Device
2 x Variable-Pitch Propellors

Oceanographic Research Vessel Mirai

Main objective
Researching marine environment changes in the open ocean.
Built
1997
Length
128.5 m
Beam
19.0 m
Depth
10.5 m
Draft
6.9 m
Gross tonnage
8,706 tons
Cruising speed
11.5 knots
Accommodation (for researchers)
80 (46)
Propulsion System
Diesel
Propulsion Device
2 x Variable-Pitch Propellors

Research Vessel Hakuho Maru

Main objective
Oceanographic surveys
Built
1989
Length
100.0 m
Beam
16.2 m
Depth
8.9 m
Draft
6.3 m
Gross tonnage
4,073 tons
Cruising speed
12 knots (Maximum speed 16 knots)
Accommodation (for researchers)
89 (35)
Propulsion System
Diesel/Electric
Propulsion Device
2 x Variable-Pitch Propellors

Research Vessel Shinsei Maru

Main objective
Basic research on marine life, geophysics/geochemistry, earthquakes, etc.
Built
2013
Length
66.0 m
Beam
13.0 m
Depth
6.2 m
Draft
4.5 m (5.0 m including sonar dome)
Gross tonnage
1,635 tons
Cruising speed
10.5 knots
Accommodation (for researchers)
41 (15)
Propulsion System
Electric
Propulsion Device
2 x Azimuth Thrusters

Retired Vessels

Deep Sea Research Vessel Kairei

Kairei

Main objective
Ultra-deep-sea surveys
Built (Retired)
1997 (Retired in Feb 2022)
Length
106.0 m
Beam
16.0 m
Depth
7.3 m
Draft
4.7 m
Gross tonnage
4,517 tons
Cruising speed
12 knots
Accommodation (for researchers)
60 (22)
Propulsion System
Diesel
Propulsion Device
2 x Variable-Pitch Propellors

Research Vessel Natsushima

Natsuhima

Main objective
Support submersible operations
Built (Retired)
1981 (Retired in Feb 2016)
Length
67.3 m
Beam
13.0 m
Depth
6.3 m
Draft
3.7 m
Gross tonnage
1,739 tons
Cruising speed
10.5 knots
Accommodation (for researchers)
55 (18)
Standard Equipment
SCS, Sonic exploration device, Piston corer, Dredge
Special feature
SHINKAI 2000,
HYPER-DOLPHIN

Research Vessel Kaiyo

Kaiyo

Main objective
Underwater experiments
Built (Retired)
1985 (Retired in Feb 2016)
Length
61.5 m
Beam
28.0 m
Depth
10.6 m
Draft
6.3 m
Gross tonnage
5,747 tons
Cruising speed
10.5 knots
Accommodation (for researchers)
60 (31)
Standard Equipment
Automatic ship position maintenance device, Ocean bottom seismometer refraction method system
Special feature
New Seatopia Project

Research Vessel Tansei Maru

Tansei Maru

Main objective
Observation and research
Built (Retired)
1982 (Retired in Jan 2013)
Length
51.0 m
Beam
9.2 m
Depth
4.2 m
Draft
5.0 m
Gross tonnage
610 tons
Cruising speed
11.5 knots
Accommodation (for researchers)
38 (15)
Standard Equipment
PDR, Fish finder, Scanning sonar, Marine meteorological observation equipment, CTD, Airgun compressor, Self-recording water temperature recorder, Pure water production equipment, Water sampler, mud sampler, plankton nets
Special feature
National cooperative research cruises