RV Yokosuka
Home & Support Vessel for SHINKAI 6500
The support mother ship for SHINKAI 6500, a manned research submersible capable of diving to a depth of 6,500 meters, Yokosuka transports the SHINKAI 6500 to the research area, conducts preliminary surveys, and provides support during dives. Yokosuka also acts as a support mother ship for the AUV URASHIMA. Yokosuka, depending on the purpose of the survey, can carry oceanographic observation equipment and independently conduct oceanographic surveys.
Main equipment
Yokosuka has a general command center, three laboratories, and one transportable laboratory, which can be used for analysis of data measured by SHINKAI 6500 and mother ship instruments, and for analysis and storage of collected samples. In addition to these facilities, researchers may bring in and install extra equipment as needed.
1A-Frame Crane
The aft deck is equipped with a huge A-frame crane for launching and recovering submersible research vessels (SHINKAI 6500) and AUVs (URASHIMA, JINBEI) alike.
2Wheelhouse & Command Information Center
An underwater intercom that uses sound waves to stay in constant contact with the submersible SHINKAI 6500.
An image transmission device that can check images of the seafloor sent from the submersible to facilitate surveys.
3Hangar
A large hangar that can also be used to maintain the submersible and AUVs.
4Acoustic Navigation System Transducer
Two acoustic navigation system transmitters (in the foreground) and the retractable sonar dome for the underwater intercom at the bottom of the ship.
5Laboratories
The upper deck is outfitted with a dry lab used for data analysis. The second deck has a wet lab where samples taken from piston cores can be processed and analyzed.