Our ships – and the men whose names they bear

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Contents

The Institute of Marine Research today 2 - 9

The men who gave their names to our ships 10 - 30

The fleet today 30 - 40

The work of the Institute of Marine Research

The Institute's four core areas of activity are marine resources, the marine environment, aqua-culture and coastal zone management. The Institute lies at the cutting edge of research in thesefields, and it regularly provides professional and scientific advice to the authorities, industry andthe general public. The aims of our core areas of research are:

• to improve our basic knowledge of the most important species of marine animals in order to be able to offer more accurate stock assessments, prognoses and management advice

• to improve our understanding of environmental effects on the ecosystem and their importancefor environmental and resources management, and to develop methodologies for incorporating environmental parameters in stock assessments

• to develop our knowledge of salmonids, marine species and crustaceans in order to improve aquaculture production, thus ensuring that the interests of both industry and society in generalare taken into account in questions of health, the environment, food quality and ethics

• to provide a knowledge base and management advice for a balanced and future oriented utilization and protection of the coastal zone

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This text is based on an earlier publication written by

Per Solemdal and Sigmund Myklevoll.

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The Institute of Marine Research

The Institute’s headquarters are at Nordnes Point in Bergen, where theMarine Environment research and the Aquaculture research have theiroffices and modern laboratories. The main building also houses theDirector General’s offices, the Department of Information, and so on.Just down the road we find the headquarter for research of the MarineResources in its own building (close to the Directorate of Fisheries). Afew minutes walk in the same direction brings us to the Fish CaptureSection and the Department of Fisheries Research in DevelopingCountries. On Nykirkekaien (New Church Quay) the Administrationand Service Department and the Research Vessel Department rent premises from the Bergen Harbour Authority. This is also where theInstitute’s research vessels tie up on their occasional visits to Bergen,and where their research trawls and other equipment are stored.

Our stations

Matre Aquaculture Station, on the shore of the Masfjord, was established in 1971. Its scientists mainly study salmon and trout, but they also do research on marine fish species.

The Flødevigen Research Station lies on the island of Hisøy near Arendal. The stationwas established by Gunder Mathias Dannevig in 1882, when most of its work dealt with hatchingand releasing cod larvae. The main activities of the station today revolve around coastal zoneresearch and consulting.

Austevoll Aquaculture Station, which lies on the island of Huftarøy in Austevoll, wasestablished in 1978. The activities of the station are concentrated on a wide range of marineaquaculture species, including halibut, cod, haddock, scallops, lobsters and hake.

Tromsø: The Institute of Marine Research has taken over the research activities onmarine resources which was formerly carried out by the Norwegian Fisheries ResearchInstitute in Tromsø, and since January 2003, this area of research has been organised as a department of the Institute of Marine Research in Tromsø.

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Vessels and activitiesThe following table shows the number of cruise daysin 2002 sailed by our own vessels and charteredboats. Personnel cruise days are cruise days multipliedby the number of scientific personnel on board.

MICAEL SARS

Where do we carry out our research cruises?

"Loophole" (International Zone)

Russian Economic Zone

"Grey Zone" (Disputed area betweenRussia and Norway)

Dr. Fridtjof Nansencarries out research on behalf of developingcountries and thereforeis usually not in ourhome waters.

Greenland Economic Zone

Fishery Zone around Jan Mayen

Icelandic Economic Zone

Faeroes Economic Zone

"Banana Loophole" (International Zone)

Norwegian Economic Zone

Vessel Cruise days Personnel cruise days"G.O. Sars" (now "Sarsen") 249 1 422"Johan Hjort" 303 1 774"Michael Sars" 265 1 092"G.M. Dannevig" 163 551"Fangst" 135 334"Dr. Fridtjof Nansen" 302 657"Håkon Mosby" 20 134Other chartered vessels 371 482

Sum 1 808 6 446

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EU Water

Fishery Protection Zone around Svalbard

MICAEL SARS

JOHAN HJORT • built: 1990 • LOA (m): 66.5 • GRT: 910

MICHAEL SARS • built: 1978/79 • LOA (m): 47,5 • 493 GRT

G.O. SARS (now "Sarsen") • built: 1970 • LOA (m): 70 • 1446 GRT

DR. FRIDTJOF NANSEN • built: 1970 • LOA (m): 70 • 1446 GRT

FANGST • built:1999/2000 • LOA (m): 14,98 • 25 GRT

G.M. DANNEVIG • built: 1979 • LOA (m): 27,85 • 171 GRT

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How we gather informationEvery year, our research vessels gather large quantities of environmental and fisheries data. Theillustrations on the opposite page show how catch data are collected.

Acoustic instruments (echosounders and sonar) make continuous recordings of "echo data" andtrawls are set and hauled at regular intervals to collect samples of the fish registered by theseinstruments. The fish taken by the trawls are sorted into species, weighed and their length is mea-sured. We remove their otoliths (tiny stones in the ear), which lets us determine their age, andtheir stomach contents are analysed in order to find out what they have eaten. These fish datafrom the trawl hauls provide the basic information that we use to interpret the acoustic data. Thetotal echo density is mathematically transformed into numbers of fish. In conjunction with reliablecatch data from the commercial fishing fleet, these data provide essential input for our calculationsof the total number of fish of each species found in our waters.

Managing the ecosystemGood resources management means that we must look at stocks in an overall context, for examplein terms of how the stocks of each species influence each other. Cod, for example, prey on capelin.This is known as "multi-species management". Non-commercial species have to be taken into accountin resource management of this sort, and the ocean environment is an important factor in a mana-gement strategy that looks to the future. One thing we need to ensure is that the sea is kept as"clean" as possible. This sort of integrated management of all life-forms and of the marine environmentitself is what we can call ecosystem management, one of the most important aims of the Instituteof Marine Research and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES).

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Analysis of the trawl catch

Acoustic registration (echosounder)

Acoustic data are compared withtrawl catches

STOMACH CONTENT

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Trained as both a priest and azoologist, Michael Sars was theson of a German-born ship’scaptain of the same name. Hismother, Diwert H. Heilman,had come to Norway fromNarva, a town on the Russian-Estonian boundary. Even as ayoung boy, Michael displayed aburning interest in natural his-tory, especially palaeontology.He started to study naturalhistory at the University ofChristiania (now Oslo), butabandoned the course afteronly three terms, changing totheology, although withoutgiving up his interest in naturalhistory. In 1830 he was calledto the poverty-stricken parishof Kinn, moving to Mangerparish, just north of Bergen, in1839. Financial difficulties pla-gued him for much of his life.His wife Maren, sister of thepoet J. S. Welhaven, bore him14 children, eight of whomsurvived to adulthood.

After 24 years as a priest Sarsbecame Professor of Zoology

at the University of Christiania.His scientific productioncovers his periods both as pri-est and professor. Most of hiswork was on marine animals;their reproduction, develop-ment and their horizontal andvertical distribution in theocean. At that time, it waswidely believed that animal lifedid not exist at great depths.Together with his son GeorgOssian, and the story-tellerand zoologist Per ChristianAsbjørnsen, Sars exploded thisbelief. In 1853 Asbjørnsencaught a primitive and free-swimming starfish from thebottom of the HardangerFjord. This was given the nameBrisinga, after the goddessFrøya’s brooch. In 1864, GeorgOssian was responsible for thegreatest sensation when hebrought up an ancient sea-lily,a living fossil, from the bottomof the West Fjord. This wasdescribed by Michael Sars andgiven the name Rhizocrinuslofotensis. These finds, and many

other like them, told us muchabout the animal life and thegeology of previous eras. It wasjust at this time, in 1859, thatDarwin published his epochalwork "On the Origin of Species".At first, Michael Sars was un-willing to accept the evidence infavour of the theory of evolution,but towards the end of his lifehe defended Darwin. His ownwork supported evolutionarytheory, but it was his son whowould become the most seri-ous missionary for the newlearning in Norway.

Per Christian Asbjørnsen offeredan amusing personal descriptionof Michael Sars as a "goodcomrade and excellent man.He also smokes tobacco like amaniac and curses as thoughhe had never mounted a pulpit".

Michael Sars was probably theonly Norwegian zoologist withan international reputation inthe 19th century; only his sonGeorg Ossian enjoys the samescientific stature.

Michael Sars (1805–1869) – one of the founding fathers of modern zoology. "Michael Sars" (1) – the research vessel of the "golden age"

Shipyard: AS Fredrikstad Mekaniske VerkstedBuilt: 1900LOA: 125 ftBeam: 23 ftDraught: 12 ft (aft)Gross tonnage (GRT): 226Main propulsion machinery: Coal-fired steam engine

(300 HP.) (also sail-rigged)

The miserable cod fisheries at theturn of the century caused realdistress, especially in northernNorway, and the authoritiesdemanded that marine scientistsshould find out why catchesvaried so much. Johan Hjortaccepted the challenge, butdemanded an ocean-going rese-arch vessel. "Michael Sars" wasbuilt as an English steam traw-ler, and equipped with the latestscientific sampling equipment andevery type of fishing gear. For 14years, "Michael Sars" made a longseries of cruises off the coast ofNorway and in more remotewaters, pursuing both purelyscientific and more practical objec-tives, sometimes in combination."Michael Sars" led Norwegianmarine research into the inter-national scientific community.

In 1910, "Michael Sars" crossedthe Atlantic and spent fourmonths collecting an enormousamount of research material. Incollaboration with Sir John Murray,

who financed the expedition,Johan Hjort published the classic"The Depths of the Ocean".This was followed by a series ofarticles which continued toappear until 1962, the last ofthem written by Einar Koefoed,a Dane who was headhunted byHjort and became one of hisclosest associates. A little-known detail of interest isfound in a note on eel larvaewhich was published in thewell-known journal "Nature" in1910 by the highly regardedNorwegian scientist Einar Lea.On the basis of their size anddistribution, he came to theconclusion that the spawningarea of the eel must be somew-here between the Azores andthe West Indies, and in fact itwas in the Sargasso Sea that theDanish scientist Schmidtdemonstrated several yearslater that spawning takes place.

In 1914, the Norwegian autho-rities and the international

research community were giventhe answer to their questionwhy fishing catches showedsuch enormous variations: thesize of year-classes varieswidely from one year to thenext. This realisation marked ahistorical change of direction inmodern marine research. Inthe course of the First WorldWar, however, both "MichaelSars" and Johan Hjort, who bythen was director both of fis-heries and of marine research,

left the Norwegian marineresearch arena. The "GoldenAge" was over.

Read about "Michael Sars" (2) on page 33.

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Georg Ossian Sars was the sonof Michael Sars, and was christened after the (mythical)Celtic poet Ossian. While hewas still a student he was alsocollaborating with his father andaccompanying him on researchtrips. After his father's death in1869 he completed the studiesthey had been doing together,producing a series of basicworks on various groups ofmarine invertebrates: starfish,molluscs, etc.). He followed uphis father’s methods in that hestudied living material.

G.O. Sars’ principal work, "AnAccount of the Crustacea ofNorway", described most ofthe Norwegian crustaceans, andis still an international standardwork. Its nine volumes and4000 pages were published between 1895 and 1928. Thedrawings in these volumes bear

witness to his artistic abilities;he engraved his crustaceansdirectly on copper plates. In1864, G.O. Sars and the herringscientist Axel Boeck(1833–1873) became Norway’sfirst full-time marine scientists.Sars gradually took overresponsibility for the practicalscientific studies of Norway’socean fisheries, which he leduntil 1893, when Johan Hjorttook over. He also became afellow of the University in 1870and professor in 1874.

Sars’ made his most importantfindings in fisheries science inthe Vestfjord during the annualcod fisheries, between 1864and 1869. As he was rowedaround the fjord he couldobserve with his own eyes themillimetre-sized eggs andrecently hatched cod larvae floating on the surface. The

finding that cod eggs float in thesea or on the surface was newto science, which until then hadfirmly believed that all fish laidtheir eggs on the seabed (as sal-mon do). However, Sars’ disco-very was not news to the Lofotenfishermen! Sars’ methods ofdirect observation depended onthe following conditions: 1. asmall boat; 2) good eyesight (Sarswas 27 when he discovered thepelagic eggs); 3) good weather!As far as the weather was con-cerned he had no choice (as wedo today with our modernocean-going research ships),and his reports to the Ministryof the Interior usually begin:"On a fine, calm day…".

Georg Ossian Sars’ studies ofthe life-history of the spawningcod were models of their kind,even though he did not get tothe bottom of all the mysteries

involved. His research vessel wassimply too small. His researchmethods showed the unmistake-able influence of his father, withtheir use of living material andtheir thorough planning. But hisreports also reveal a brilliantindependent scientist with ahighly developed ability to concentrate and a great deal of imagination.

The Vestfjord studies convincedSars that an understanding of theanimal life and the fisheries offthe coast of Norway could notbe isolated from each other. Itwas essential to study the"whole of the Northern Seas".Together with the geophysicistHenrik Mohn, Sars managed tofinance three expeditions to theNorwegian Sea with SS Vøringenin 1876–1878. Norway had joined the competition toexplore the ocean depths.

Georg Ossian Sars (1837–1927) – our first marine scientist

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For long-distance transport oflarge quantities of fish and fry,motorised fishing boats werechartered. The need for a larger,more suitable boat becamemore and more obvious as tasksof this sort increased in number.

In 1923 the Institute was ableto take over a German motorcutter that had been impoundedby the Customs Service. (Thiswas during Prohibition inNorway). This vessel was 40 ftin length and had been built in1914. The question arose ofwhat to call the new acquisition,and an obvious choice was thename of the man who had laidthe foundations for the workof Flødevigen – G.O. Sars.With the permission of theprofessor, the boat was called"Ossian Sars". It was suitablefor transporting spawning fish

and fry; and it also made it poss-ible to carry out field studiesthroughout the year, both inthe fjords and off the coast.

However, old age gradually beganto leave its traces on the boat,and in 1946 it was condemned.

"Ossian Sars"

LOA: 40 ft.Built: 1914, in Germany

Finn Devold was the son ofHarald Ophus Devold, a ministerof the Church, and Alida EliseMarie Lampe. He was born inBergen but grew up in Tromsø.He studied at the Sorbonne,and had many different jobsbefore joining the Institute ofMarine Research in 1935.

Devold was an assistant at theDepartment of Geophysics inTromsø and to Fridtjof Nansenin 1922–23. He soon acquired ataste for the exciting life of theArctic, and ran the meteorolo-gical stations at Kvadehuken onSvalbard and on the island ofJan Mayen. At the request of theNorwegian Government he ledthe occupation of an area inSoutheast Greenland in 1931,while his brother Hallvard occu-pied what was known as EirikRaudes Land in Northeast Green-land. Norway lost this case at theInternational Court in the Hague.Finn Devold became a fisheriesbiologist, and was awarded his

masters degree for a fine pieceof work on the biology of theplaice. He is best known for hisstudy of the migration patternof the Atlanto-Scandinavian her-ring. He also suggested anexplanation for the long-termchanges in the size of the her-ring population off the coast ofNorway, an explanation whichis still discussed today.

Helge Ingstad wrote in amemorial article about FinnDevold: "Finn Devold was oneof the finest and most fearlessmen I have ever known. Nowhe is gone from us – a gianttree has fallen in the forest".

"G. O. Sars" (1)- Devold’s "herring shepherd"

The fact that Devold’s name isso closely coupled with the ves-sel "G .O. Sars" (1) is due tothe great efforts he made onbehalf of the people of thecoast during the rich herring

years of the 50s. These effortswere made with the aid of adevice which had been developedby the British during the SecondWorld War to locate Germansubmarines. This was ASDIC(Anti-Submarine DetectionInvestigation Committee), andas with the echo-sounder, itwas Norwegians who modifiedthis vertical-search device toenable it to locate shoals of fish.It was Einar Lea, one of Hjort’sclosest associates, who took upthe idea in 1947, and 1949 sawthe delivery of the first herringasdic. The instrument was re-baptised SONAR (SOundNAvigation and Ranging), whichsounded rather more peaceful.

The 1950 herring year-classwas extremely large. "G.O.Sars" set sail in July and madean important discovery with itsnew sonar set: large quantitiesof that year’s herring fry wereobserved as far as 200 nauticalmiles from the coast. At that

Finn Devold (1902–1977) – the herring shepherd

time, most people believed thatall herring fry stayed close tothe coast. Drift nets do not catchthese tiny fish, but the sonarcould see them! Before the endof the year, "G.O. Sars" had setout on yet another pioneeringcruise with Devold and thesonar on board. This was thefirst attempt to follow herringshoals in the Norwegian Sea ontheir migration to the spawninggrounds off the coast of WesternNorway, and they succeeded ingreat style! A couple of themost curious purse-seine boatscame across “G. O. Sars” andrealised that the herring wereunder observation. A large fleetof fishing boats had soon gathered,and Devold had to ask them tostay out of the way in order notto hinder his work. The "parade"of boats must have looked ratherstrange. When one of the skip-pers asked what was going on,the skipper of the seine-netter"Reform" from Sunnmøre ans-wered, "Well, we’re all marching

in a 17th of May (ConstitutionDay) procession, and the Sarsboat is setting the tune!"

When the herring arrived off thecoast at Runde on January 21,1951, "G.O. Sars" had demon-strated its good qualities and sea-worthiness and the sonar itsfantastic ability to find herring,and Devold and the Institute ofMarine Research had won thetrust of the people of the coast.This was a fine start for theInstitute’s first sea-going rese-arch vessel since "Michael Sars".

In the early 60s, the echo inte-grator was developed at theInstitute of Marine Research.This instrument made it pos-sible to "collect" echoes from alarge number of fish and usethese to estimate their biomass.The prototype was tested onboard "G.O. Sars", and laterbecame the most importantinstrument for the Institute ofMarine Research’s fish stockassessments.

Although "G.O. Sars" is closelylinked to herring studies in thepopular consciousness, the vesselwas also the Institute’s work-horse in several other fields.During the post-war years, theaim of Norwegian fisheries policywas to build up a diversified fis-hing fleet, including ocean-goingvessels. There was a particularlyhigh level of research activity inthe Barents Sea during this period.This is a region that makes veryhigh demands of both crews

and ships, especially in the wintermonths, but in 1958 "G.O. Sars"was joined by the third "JohanHjort".

Read about "G.O. Sars" (2) on page 32.

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Shipyard: AS Pusnes Mekaniske Verksted, ArendalAS Moss Værft & Dokk

Built: 1945/1950LOA: 51.985 mBeam: 8.690 mDraught: 5.185 mGRT: 594.69 tonnesMain propulsion machinery: 2 x Crossley HRL6,

each of 600 GHP

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Gunder M. Dannevig was theson of skipper Mathias WilhelmDannevig and Kirsten Gunders-datter Guldsmedengen. He wentto sea at an early age and beca-me a skipper when he was only24 years old, when Arendal wasthe richest and most importantshipping centre in Norway. In1878 he became a fisherman.There was a critical shortage offish on the coast of SouthernNorway at the time, and fisher-men wanted to have certain typesof fishing gear banned. Dannevig,who had a good understandingof how the fisheries were deve-loping in other countries, hadheard that the Americans hadbegun to experiment with hat-ching marine species of fish.The idea of improving cod stocksby releasing newly hatched larvaeinto the sea won the support ofeveryone in the fishing industry,and community spirit in Arendal

provided the necessary financialsupport for a cod hatchery. Dannevig received scientificbacking from G.O. Sars who, inhis first report from Lofoten in1864, had already proposed arti-ficial hatching in order to evenout annual variations in the codfisheries. Dannevig’s hatchery inFlødevigen was the first large-scale hatchery for marine fish inthe world. Hundreds of millionsof cod eggs were hatched everyyear, and the yolk-sac larvaewere released into speciallyselected locations. Dannevigattempted to demonstrate theresults of the releases by localquestionnaire studies.

The fishermen who had a posi-tive attitude to these measuresalso tended to respond positi-vely to questions about trendsin cod stocks. When the launchof the venture obtained financi-al support, the practical scienti-

fic studies also began. Dannevig then proposed to investigatethe effects of the releases bymeans of beach hauls of nets inselected fjords where fish hadbeen released, and in otherswithout releases. This was in1904–06. Johan Hjort was notconvinced of the usefulness of thissort of activity, and he insistedthat his assistant Knut Dahlshould be on the spot to checkthe catches. The spirit of co-operation between the old sea-captain and the young academicmust have been poor. The frontpage of the first mimeographedreport from the beach-net studiesis "decorated" with the followingremark: "Damned lies. KnutDahl". But it was precisely thisreport that provided the firstsignals about a new explanationof the wide annual fluctuationsin fish catches, the central findingof the golden age. The report

at sea. The ship gradually became too small to performthe functions it was intendedfor, and was sold in 1987.

Gunder Mathisen Dannevig (1841–1911) -sea captain and pioneer in the aquaculture of marine fish

Shipyard: Lunde Båtbyggeri, Tysnes in SunnhordlandBuilt: 1949LOA: 19.80 mBeam: 5.5 mDraught: 2.70 mGRT: 55 tonnesMain propulsion machinery: Alpha, 200 HPAccommodation: 3 double cabins.

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showed quite clearly that thenumber of fry was much greaterin 1904 than in 1905 and 1906,no matter whether yolk-sac larvaehad been released or not. Thefact that differences in fish catcheswere largely due to variations inyear-class strength was laterdemonstrated in herring, whichalso had a successful year-classin 1904.

The verdict of history on theeconomic importance ofDannevig’s releases of cod fryhas been negative. On theother hand, the scientific activi-ty which his initiative triggeredin the infant Norwegian marineresearch sector has given him amajor place in the history ofmarine research in Norway.The biologist O. Nordgaarddescribed Dannevig in the follo-wing words: "Dannevig wascharacterised by his unusuallypractical bent, his almost violent

energy, and his sharp under-standing. Whether he was spea-king Norwegian, English orFrench, he resembled a postthat was difficult to shift. Hecould be unpleasant to have asan opponent".

"G.M. Dannevig" (1) -

transport vessel for fish fry

"G.M. Dannevig" was broughtinto service in 1950 and wasintended for use as a transportvessel for fish fry (releases ofcod larvae) and research cruisesoff the Norwegian coast and inthe Skagerrak.

The building of "G.M.Dannevig" signalled the start ofa new epoch in the history ofthe Flødevigen ResearchStation, in that the new vesselgreatly extended the range oftasks that could be carried out

Read about "G.M. Dannevig" (2)on page 31.

Johan Hjort’s father was a pro-fessor and eye specialist, whocame from an old Danish familyof civil servants. His motherwas from the Falsen family.Johan Hjort inherited his inte-rest in science from his father;his rather volcanic temper camefrom his mother. He studiedbiology in Munich and was G.O. Sars’ successor as leader ofthe fisheries studies in Christianiain 1893, at the age of 24.

In 1900 these studies weremoved to Bergen, and after afew years, Hjort became bothdirector of marine researchand director of fisheries. Hehad a will of iron, an enormouscapacity for work, and a well-developed interest in scientificcollaboration. He was also oneof the founders of theInternational Council for theExploration of the Sea (ICES),and was its president during

the last few years of his life.

Hjort resigned during the FirstWorld War in protest againstthe behaviour of the authoritiesin connection with the sale offish to Britain, believing thatNorway was not observing theconditions of neutrality. Afterthe War, Hjort studied biologyin Cambridge, and he also spentsome time in Denmark beforebecoming a professor at theUniversity of Oslo. His scientificproduction covered a widerange of subjects, from larvaldevelopment in Ascidians tostudies of population dynamicsin whales. His more polemicalwritings in connection withCaptain Dannevig’s cod-hatchingexperiments in Flødevigen arealso well known.

Johan Hjort as a person wasshrewdly described byFrancis Bull in the following

terms:"As a superior, he was without peer; helpful, kind, pati-ent – as an equal, rather diffi-cult, because he always belie-ved that he was right – and asa subordinate, sure of himselfand full of the need to oppo-se". His ability as a leader to"fire up" his colleagues is illu-strated by what was once saidby two of his favourites,Hjalmar Broch and EinarKoefoed: "Not the least of thefactors that stimulated ourwork in the old laboratorieswas Hjort’s great gift of makingeach of us feel that we wereworking freely and independentlyon our allotted tasks. At thesame time, he always kept usin contact with practical life,which was an unusual attitudefor those times".

Johan Hjort’s achievement hasacquired renewed relevanceduring the past few years. His

Shipyard: Gravdal Skipsbyggeri, Opsanger,Sunde in Sunnhordland

Built: 1922 (rebuilt:1928)LOA: 68 ftBeam: 16’ 4.5”Draught: 9’ 10.1”GRT: 48.61 tonnesMain propulsion machinery: Bolinder B20M21, 70 HPAccommodation: 9 bunks; certificated for 11 persons

Johan Hjort (1869–1948) – still a current name in Norwegian marine research

underlying ecological attitude isin line with the ecologicalmanagement model for marineresources which we can glimpsein the distance. Hjort’s obser-vations came to the aid of theInstitute of Marine Research inthe 80s in particular, when one"stock earthquake" after anot-her was discovered in theBarents Sea. Hjort’s descripti-ons of similar situations in 1903showed that Nature itself occa-sionally "goes mad", withouthuman beings necessarily beingthe worst culprits.

"Johan Hjort" (1)

– fragile, but still useful

After the First World Warthere was little money availablefor research cruises, and "MichaelSars" was laid up, while themost important field-work wascarried out with the aid of

chartered boats. In 1922 the Institute acquired a small woo-den vessel which was speciallydesigned for research purposes.This was the first "Johan Hjort",and it is said that Dr. Hjortwas not particularly satisfied bythe honour of having such a"pathetic" vessel named afterhim. Nevertheless, the newboat performed well in Lofoten(cod), off the coast (winter andspring spawning herring) and inthe fjords (sardines and yearlingherring). Plankton and hydro-graphic studies also providedvaluable new knowledge.

Since it turned out to be imposs-ible to get "Michael Sars" intooperation again (except for awhaling trip to the Davis Straitin 1924), "Johan Hjort" wasrefitted for large-scale studiesin the Norwegian Sea.However, it was felt that suchoperations were beginning to

verge on the irresponsible. The Institute’s scientists Sund, Leaand Bjerkan led most of the field-work during that period. Duringa shipyard refit in 1931, rot wasdiscovered in the hull of theboat. The attack was so seriousthat it was regarded essential toinvest in a completely new boat,but everything that could be usedof the existing equipment andfitments was transferred to"Johan Hjort" (2). Meanwhile,the shipyard took over and

rebuilt the old boat, which sailedin cargo traffic under the namesof "Kola" and "Ruth Vagle",until it ended its days on thebeach rocks in the Morfjord.

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The second "Johan Hjort" wasalso a small wooden vessel of79 ft. LOA, designed for use incoastal water. Financial condi-tions were difficult at this time,and the fishing industry wasstruggling with overproductionand market problems. Hjort’sexpansive ocean fishery modelwas de-emphasised, and thescientists’ wishes for newboats were modest.

"Johan Hjort" (2) had thehonour of testing out theechosounder to locate fish.This extremely important toolfor practical fishing had origi-nally been developed by theBritish Admiralty in the 30s asa depth sounder. In 1934,Oscar Sund heard that thebrisling seine netter "Signal"had recorded echograms offish shoals. Sund managed to

obtain money for an echoso-under, and on March 11, 1935,"Johan Hjort" arrived at Høllain Lofoten. Now, for the firsttime, it was possible to "see"the concentrations of spawningcod in a thin horizontal layer inthermocline water at 4–6 oC.The results of the investigati-ons were published in the well-known journal "Nature" onJune 8 that very same year. Anew era in world fishing hadarrived. When the third "JohanHjort" was handed over in1958, the second boat wasrenamed "Oscar Sund"; a well-deserved honour!

Read about the current "Johan Hjort" on p. 34.

Shipyard: Gravdal Skipsbyggeri, Opsanger, Sunde in SunnhordlandBuilt: 1932LOA: 79 ftGRT: 67 tonnesMain propulsionmachinery: Wichmann 90–120 HP

Oscar Sund was born on theSund property in Gildeskål inthe County of Nordland. Hisfather, Haagen Olsen, was acountry policeman and wasmarried to Annette KatharinaNeumann. He grew up amongthe northern fisherfolk, virtuallyat the gateway to the sea. Hisgreat ambition was to studyfish and their migrations, inorder to help the fishermen.While he was still a student hepublished a number of studieson central topics in zoology,demonstrating that he was anexcellent basic scientist.

In 1908 he was engaged as anassistant to Hjort, and he carriedout most of the age determina-tions of cod that formed muchof the data in Johan Hjort'simportant publication of 1914.Like most of Hjort’s close

associates, Sund was keen tokeep the fishermen always upto date about his researchresults, and he had a gift fordoing so. His schematic methodof showing the variations incatches of spawning cod areparticularly well known.Gunnar Rollefsen has characte-rised Oscar Sund’s presentationsas "masterly analyses and dia-grams of the changes in codstocks". Oscar Sund also playedan important role in processingthe material from the major"Michael Sars" expedition in1910. In 1916 he took over asleader of the fisheries studieswhen Johan Hjort resigned.

Perhaps Oscar Sund’s gifts ofpopularisation were most evident in "Skårungen" ("TheYoungster"); his last and best-known work, published in

1942. The sub-title of the bookoffers a fine characterisation ofSund: "A book about the seaand its fauna, ships and travel,for the young people of thecoast."

In 1947 the people of NorthernNorway erected a monumentto Oscar Sund at the newchurch in Gildeskål, bearing thefollowing inscription: "He wasa tireless servant of science,and a friend and helper of thefishing community. A faithful,warm-hearted northerner whobrought honour to his community".

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Oscar Sophus Sund (1884–1943) -marine scientist from the North

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"Johan Hjort" (2), "Oscar Sund" – small but revolutionary

22

The success of "G.O. Sars" (1)opened people’s eyes to thepossibility of carrying outimportant new tasks in fishingresearch, and when the new"Johan Hjort" (the third vesselof that name) arrived in 1958,it was designed, with "G.O.Sars" (1) as its model and ideal,as an ocean-going vessel. Eventhen, some people believedthat a stern trawler wouldhave been more useful, but theside-trawler tradition was stillpowerful.

With two ocean-going vesselsavailable, the geographic rangeof the Institute’s investigationscould be increased, and newfish stocks were added to thestudy programme. Fish-findingand hydrographic instrumentswere renewed in step with

developments in technology. In1975 the vessel was fitted withstern-trawling gear, which wasnot particularly practical forthat type of vessel, and the scientists began to dream of anew boat. The idea at thattime was top rent rather thanbuy, and the result was a multi-year contract with thefishing boat "Eldjarn", which wasfitted up with the necessaryequipment for research.

"Johan Hjort" was sold in 1983and moved to the North Seaoffshore sector under thename of "Skandi Ocean".

Shipyard: Mjellem & Karlsen AS, BergenBuilt: 1958 (rebuilt 1975)LOA: 52.35 m (53.30 m)Beam: 9.30 mDraught: 5.28 mGRT: 697Main propulsion machinery: MAN G7V 40/60 MA, 1300 hpClass: DNV +1A1 ice Accommodation: 25 cabins (crew, 32; scientists, 7)

Peder A. Rønnestad (1879–1949)

Peder A. Rønnestad joined"Michael Sars" in 1902 as a fisherman under Captain ThorIversen. Following several yearsof education and commercialfishing, he returned to the shipas its captain in 1912. I 1916he became an expert consul-tant in fisheries to the Directo-rate of Fisheries. Rønnestad hasbeen praised for his wide-rageof contributions to fisheriesresearch, and in particular forhis work on the Load-line Actand registration of Norwegianfishing vessels, as well as his effortsto improve sanitary conditionsin the fishing villages and inbuilding fishermen's shacks foruse in the seasonal fisheries.

"Peder Rønnestad" - trawler and fishing trials vessel

The boat was built as the trawler"Spitzbergen" and was purchasedby the Directorate of Fisheriesin 1951. During its first few yearswith the Directorate, it was

primarily used as a fishing trialsvessel by the Directorate’spractical fishery consultants.

When "Oscar Sund" (ex."Johan Hjort" (2)) was takenout of service in 1958, "PederRønnestad" was rebuilt andhanded over to the Institute ofMarine Research. The vessellost its "good looks" as a resultof the rebuilding operation,while it acquired the laboratoryand cabin facilities needed forresearch cruises. It was employedon the coast and in the fjords,and occasionally over large areas

of the North Sea and on thebanks west of the Shetlands.The boat was equipped withside trawls, drift-netting andlong-lining gear and a hydro-graphy/plankton winch. "PederRønnestad" was sold in 1979.

Built: Germany 1948LOA: 26.25 mBeam: 6.40 mDraught: 3.22 mGRT: 126 tonnesMain propulsion machinery: Bergen Diesel 250 HPAccommodation: 8 single and 2 double cabinsClass: Deutsche Lloyd 100A4 fishing vessel/North Sea

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"Johan Hjort" (3) – modelled on the "G.O. Sars"

Thor Carl Iversen was a well-know personality in the worldof Norwegian fisheries andmarine research. Already inpossession of experience frommerchant shipping, fishing, sealing and whaling he joined"Michael Sars" as a seaman in1900. He was later captain ofthe vessel, and skippered it onits famous Atlantic researchcruise in 1910.

In 1912, Thor Iversen becamea consultant to the Directorateof Fisheries, and in addition toa number of administrativetasks, he carried out severalresearch cruises, particularly innorthern waters. His list ofpublications bears witness to awide range of interests, whichincluded the history of fishing,geographical measurementsand descriptions, charting

fishing banks, etc. His artisticbent found expression in filmand photography, a hobby thathe cultivated with such keennessand talent that he must begiven a place among the "greats" of Norwegian photography.

"Thor Iversen" - practical fishing trials and research

This vessel was originally builtas the trawler "Gerdy Mia", butwas purchased as a relativelynew vessel by the Directorateof Fisheries for test fishing, and especially for trainingNorwegian fishermen in traw-ling techniques. The boat wasnamed after Thor Iversen, andwas used first and foremost bythe Directorate's consultantsfor practical fishing trials. "ThorIversen" was also used by theInstitute of Marine Research.

The vessel was sold in 1968,and as fishing vessel, "Thor Iver"sank west of KvannhovdenLighthouse in 1976.

Built: the Netherlands 1951LOA: 83 ftBeam: 19.7 ftDraught: 9.3 ftGRT: 84 tonnesMain propulsion machinery: 200 HP diesel engineCrew: 8

Thor Iversen (1873–1953)

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Fridtjof Nansen was a man ofmany talents. He began tostudy zoology at the Universityof Christiania in 1880, andafter only two years of studywas appointed curator atBergen Museum. In the sameyear he sailed with the sealingboat "Viking" of Arendal to theWestern Ice off Greenland,where he studied seals andmade hydrographic observationsof the waters of EasternGreenland. Here, in the driftice, Nansen found driftwoodand mud which probably camefrom Siberia. As a result ofthese observations he led the1893–96 "Fram" expedition, onwhich he collected oceano-graphic data as the vessel drifted across the Polar Sea.Among other things, Nansennoted that the polar ice driftedat an angle of about 45 degreesto the right of the direction of

the wind – and he was the firstto realise that this must be dueto the rotation of the Earth.Nansen believed that the icedragged the water beneathalong with it. In the same way,each layer of water would dragthe next layer along. Frictionwould mean that the currentvelocity would fall off withdepth at the same time as thedirection of the current gradu-ally turned more to the right.Nansen did not have the mat-hematical knowhow that wouldhave enabled him to demon-strate that this was the case,but at his request, Professor V.W. Ekman succeeded in pro-ving Nansen's theories. Thephenomenon has since beenknown as the "Ekman Spiral".

Fridtjof Nansen made major,pioneering discoveries in seve-ral aspects of the developmentof modern marine research,

particularly in physical oceano-graphy. He was also a keenexponent of international cooperation in marine rese-arch, and played a key role inthe establishment of theInternational Council forExploration of the Sea (ICES).

Nansen’s doctorate (1888) wasa study of the central nervoussystem of the hagfish (an inver-tebrate), with a thesis whosequality and range was probablynot fully appreciated by hiscontemporaries. Today, howe-ver, Fridtjof Nansen is interna-tionally recognised as one ofthe pioneers of brain research.In 1897 Nansen becameProfessor of Zoology at theUniversity of Christiania, andplanned the physical-oceano-graphic studies for the Boardof Fisheries carried out by the"Michael Sars", which wasnamed after his father-in-law.

In 1922 Fridtjof Nansen wasawarded the Nobel PeacePrize for his important humani-tarian efforts in the wake ofthe First World War. It wasNansen who negotiated andorganised the transport homeof about 400,000 German andRussian prisoners of war. Hewas also the underlying force andthe organiser of efforts to feedmillions of people threatenedby famine in Russia.

"Dr. Fridtjof Nansen" (1)

- the international helper

The marine research vessel"Dr. Fridtjof Nansen" is aNorwegian contribution tointernational developmentefforts, the appropriate choiceof a nation that can point to arich tradition of research in fis-heries and marine science. Thevessel is operated on behalf of

developing countries whichlack vessels and expertise. Itsprogrammes are drawn up inclose collaboration with thesecountries, and with scientificsupport provided by the UN’sFood and AgricultureOrganisation (FAO).

The vessel is financed byNORAD (Norwegian Agencyfor Development Cooperation)and is operated by the Instituteof Marine Research. Its princi-pal tasks are mapping the dis-tribution and quantity of fishstocks, which it has been stu-dying continuously since 1975,from the South China Sea inthe east to the Pacific coast ofCentral America in the west.Most of the work of the vesselhas been off the east and westcoasts of Africa.

It is appropriate that the shipbears the name of FridtjofNansen, who was so well

known for his contributions toboth marine research and inthe field of international aid.

Read about the current "Dr. Fridtjof Nansen" on page 35.

Shipyard: Mjellem & Karlsen AS, BergenBuilt: 1974LOA: 47.50 mBeam: 10.30 mDraught: 4.35 m GRT: 495 tonnesMain propulsionmachinery: Normo LDMCB9, 1500 HPAccommodation: 14 single cabins, 2 double and 2 four-berth cabins

26 27

Fridtjof Nansen (1861–1930)

28

This vessel originally belongedto the Fish-capture Section ofthe Norwegian FisheriesTechnology Research Institute,and it was built in order tocarry out tests and trials of fishing gear. The vessel cameto the Institute of MarineResearch when the Fish-captureSection was incorporated intothe Institute in 1990, and itwas sold to Iceland in 1999.

Built by Sandøy Plast AS (hull)and Storebø Slipp & MekaniskeVerksted AS.

Lengthened by LundeBåtbyggeri AS.

LOA: 14.17 mBeam: 4.25 mDraught: 2.25 mGRT: 25 tonnesMain propulsion machinery: Yanmar 6 HAE 165 HPAccommodation: 2 two-berth cabins

"Virgo"LOA: 40 ftNo further technical details available.Between the wars, the Institute

of Marine Research had a 40 ftmotor boat, "Virgo", but thiswas confiscated during theSecond World War. After the War, a new boat was purchased and given the nameof "Krill". It had a cabin forward,with room for two or threepersons. The boat was equippedwith a hand-powered winch forplankton sampling and hydro-graphy, and it was employed instudies in these fields inHardanger and Sunnhordland,but it was also used more andmore often for studies of brisling, crabs, lobsters and eels in the same area.

In spring 1985 the boat wastransferred to the MatreAquaculture Station, but wascondemned after a couple of year.

"Krill"Built in Nordtveitgrend during the 40sLOA: 25.5 ftBeam: 6.6 ft.Motor: Sleipner petrol engine, 10–14 HP

Marna diesel, 18 HPSabb 22 HP (1970)

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"Fjordfangst" "Virgo" and "Krill" - modest servants of marine research

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"Fangst" replaced the old"Fjordfangst", which was theboat the Institute used forresearch studies on the coastand in the fjords. The Institutedoes not own "Fangst", but haschartered the vessel on a long-term basis.

"Fangst" is only about half ametre longer than "Fjordfangst",but has a greater beam and ismuch more roomy. The boathas three double cabins andprovides good living and wor-king conditions for its crewand scientific personnel. Thereis ample deck-space and a smallwet laboratory. The vessel isideal for many of the Fish-cap-ture Section’s behavioural studies and trials of new typesof fishing gear. The Institute’saquaculture scientists also use"Fangst" frequently.

A small vessel such as "Fangst"has low running costs in com-parison with the Institute’socean-going research vessels,

and it is a good, cost-effectivefacility for many types of coastalstudies and research projects.

31

In 1985, the FisheriesTechnology ResearchInstitute’s vessel "Kystfangst"was transferred to the Instituteof Marine Research and statio-ned in Flødevigen, where it wasgiven the new name of "G.M.Dannevig". In order to meetmodern standards, the vesselwas lengthened to 92 ft andrefurbished in 1986-87.

Its instrumentation and equipment was supplementedin the next few years, so thatafter 1988 the Institute had afully operational modern vesselsuitable for marine research inthe Skagerrak, the Kattegat andthe North Sea.

Shipyard: Kystvågen Verft, Frei in Møre og RomsdalBuilt: 1979Rebuilt: 1987LOA: 27.85 mBeam: 6.75 mGRT: 171 tonnesMain propulsionmachinery: 2 x Volvo 330 HPAccommodation: 7 two-berth cabins, one single

Shipyard: Båt & Motorservice AS, RørvikBuilt: 1999/2000LOA: 14.98 mBeam: 5.50 mDraught: 3.20 mGRT: 24.99 tonnesMain propulsion machinery: Fiat IVECO, 8210 SRM-36, 400 HPSide thruster: 2 x Mjosund, 60 HP aft, 50 HP forwardPower supply: 2 generators: 220 VAC, 32 kW, 50HzAccommodation: 3 two-berth cabins

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"Fangst" "G. M. Dannevig" (2)

- the environmental monitor

3332

The vessel was designed accor-ding to the "Dr. FridtjofNansen" (1) model, but with aslightly modified interior design.It is equipped to perform moreor less the same range of tasksas "G.O. Sars" (2), though withcertain limitations due to itssmaller size. The vessel alsohas a dropkeel with echoso-under and sonar heads, whichenables it to carry out acousticstudies of herring and otherfish species even in fairly badweather. The vessel is very suitable for coastal water operations.

The idea of this vessel wasbrought up as early as 1967,but 12 years were to passbefore the second "MichaelSars" went to sea.

The vessel was originally usedby both the Directorate of

Shipyard: Mjellem & Karlsen AS, BergenBuilt: 1978/79LOA: 47.50 mBeam: 10.30 mDraught: 4.30 mGRT: 493/690 tonnesMain propulsion machinery: Norma diesel LDMCB-9, 1500 HPAccommodation: 20 persons

The 60s saw a series of veryrapid developments in fisheriestechnology and instrumentation.The new "G. O. Sars" was builtas a stern trawler and rigged tobe able to deploy both bottomand pelagic trawls at the sametime. The vessel’s hull was desig-ned to disturb the echosoundersas little as possible, since thesehad become essential instrumentsfor fisheries research. While theboat was under planning, a newgeneration of echosounder wasbeing developed in collaborationwith Simrad. Used in combinationwith the echo integrator, thenew sounders made it possibleto perform quantitative measu-rements. While it had previouslybeen possible to register wherethe fish were and to only rough-ly estimate their biomass, scien-tists now had much more accu-rate measures of the amount offish that they were recording.

Electronics was also entering thefield of oceanographic instrumen-tation. Water samplers, which

had been developed by Nansenat the turn of the previous century,and turning thermometers, werebeing replaced by sondes whichrecorded temperature, salinity,etc. while they were loweredthrough the water column.Signals from these sondes wereregistered and processed onboard while the sondes were stillbeing lowered, a process thatrequired computer power. Echointegration was later also carriedout by the computer system.After 33 years of operation,

"G.O. Sars" is still a functionaland serviceable vessel.

In February 2003, "G.O. Sars" (2)was renamed (R/V) "Sarsen"."Sarsen" was the nickname ofthe first "G.O. Sars".

Shipyard: Mjellem and Karlsen AS, BergenBuilt: 1970LOA: 70.0 mBeam: 13.3 mGRT: 1.446/1658 tonnesMain propulsion machinery: Bergen Diesel 2250 HP (1655 kw)Class: Det Norske Veritas, Class +1A1

Stern trawler, Ice C, Hull Ice AAccommodation: Crew + 16 scientists

"G. O. Sars" (2) - into the computer era "Michael Sars" (2) - fish finding and research

Fisheries and the Institute ofMarine Research, but theInstitute has gradually taken itover on a full-time basis.

The new "Johan Hjort" wasbased on the Institute’s goodexperience with "G.O. Sars"(2). The vessel was given amore modern hull form, whichmade it so sea-kindly that workon board is not held back toany extent even in the BarentsSea in mid-winter. An impor-tant advance in this respect wasthe fitting of de-icing gear onthe foredeck, as was the factthat winches and other items ofdeck equipment were largelybuilt in under protective hou-sings. It was hoped that "JohanHjort" could be brought intoservice without a long period oftrials, and the Institute managedto do so. A very solid, goodresearch vessel, was the verdictof the scientists after its firstseason of operation.

In order to reduce surfacenoise (bubble formation by thehull in bad weather) duringacoustic measurements, "Johan

Hjort" was designed in such away that towed echosounderheads could be deployed fromthe bottom of the hull. Thissystem did not function well,but in 1995 "Johan Hjort" wasfitted with a dropkeel contai-ning the echosounder andsonar heads. This set-up worksso well that good acoustic mea-surements can be made even inheavy gales. Nowadays, all newocean-going research vesselshave such retractable dropkeel.

Shipyard: Flekkefjord Slipp & Maskinfabrikk ASKvina Verft AS

Built: 1990LOA: 64.4 mBeam: 13.0 mGRT: 910/1828 tonnesMain propulsion machinery: Wärtsilä Wichmann diesel, 8V28B,

3264 HP (2400 kW)Class: Det Norske Veritas +1A1, Ice 1B (hull),

Ice 1C (propeller)Accommodation: 24 single cabins, 5 two-berth cabins

34

When it was decided that it wastime to replace the old "Dr.Fridtjof Nansen" with a newvessel, the Institute of MarineResearch had only recentlytaken delivery of the new "JohanHjort", which was one of themost advanced marine researchvessels in the world. It was therefore only natural that theteam responsible for planningthe new "Dr. Fridtjof Nansen"should incorporate both drawingsand experience from "JohanHjort". The new internationalhelper was not to be inferior toour domestic flagship, and in factthe two vessels almost look likesister ships in terms of design,internal layout and scientificequipment. This is also rationalin purely research terms, giventhat both research and technicalpersonnel alternate betweencruises in domestic waters withthe Institute’s vessels and cruiseson board "Dr. Fridtjof Nansen".Acoustic equipment, marineenvironment instrumentation

and trawl set-ups are identical.This also makes it easier to utilisethe same or similar methods,compare and exchange experi-ences, and to use the resultsand experiences gained forexample in West African watersin our own Scandinavian waters,and vice versa. "Dr. FridtjofNansen" also gives students andscientific personnel from ourdevelopment partner countriesan ideal opportunity to becomefamiliar with a modern marineresearch vessel, and with the

marine resources in their owndomestic waters.

Shipyard: Flekkefjord Slipp & Maskinfabrikk ASBuilt: 1993LOA: 56.75 mBeam: 12.50 mGRT: 1444 tonnesMain propulsionmachinery: Wärtsilä Wichmann diesel 6L28B,

MCR 1980 kW (2700 HP)Class: Det Norske Veritas +1A Ice 1C,

MV, EO, Stern TrawlerAccommodation: 23 cabins (33 berths)

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"Johan Hjort" (4) "Dr. Fridtjof Nansen" (2)

Mosby was awarded hisCand.real. (M.Sc.) degree in1940 and his doctorate in 1934.As a student in Oslo he acted asassistant to Professor FridtjofNansen at the Department ofOceanography, participating inseveral cruises with the researchvessel "Armauer Hansen". In1927, before he took his finaldegree exams, he was engagedas a lecturer at the Departmentof Geophysics, Section for Theo-retical Meteorology, at BergenMuseum. In 1927/28 Mosby wasa member of L. Christensen’sfirst "Norvegia" expedition tothe Antarctic Ocean, on the basisof which he wrote his doctoralthesis "The Waters of theAntarctic Ocean". Håkon Mosbysubsequently led several expedi-tions to our northern oceanregions. In 1939 he became alecturer at the Department ofGeophysics, Section A (Hydro-graphy), and in 1947 he succeededBjørn Helland-Hansen asProfessor at Bergen Museum.

Håkon Mosby played a central

role in the development andorganisation of oceanographicresearch at national and interna-tional level. He was director ofthe Department of Geophysicsfor two periods, and from 1966to 1971 he was Rector of theUniversity of Bergen.

The research vessel given hisname, "Håkon Mosby", is the sistership of "Michael Sars" (2) and isowned by the University of Bergen.The vessel is equipped to carry

out oceanographic, geologicaland biological research studies. Itis used by the University ofBergen for teaching and researchpurposes, but is operated by theResearch Vessel Department ofthe Institute of Marine Research.

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Built: 1980LOA: 47.24 mBeam: 10.32 mDraught: 4.70 mGRT: 493/701 tonnesMain propulsion machinery: Normo LDMB-9, 1500 HPClass: Veritas 1A1 IceAccommodation: 17 cabins (crew; nine single-berth cabins;

scientists: six single and two four-berth cabins)

The new "G.O. Sars"– the most advanced marine research vessel in

the world; handed over in spring 2003

37

Håkon Mosby (1903–1989)

“Håkon Mosby”

LOA: 77.50 mBeam: 16.40/18,60 mDepth to 1st deck: 6.30 mDepth to 2nd deck: 9.10 mGRT: 4.067 tonnesMain propulsion machinery: Diesel-electric, three generators

totalling 8,100 kw (3 x 2,700 kw),or 11016 HP

Class: DNV +1A1 Ice C, Eo, Dynpos AUT, CleanTop speed: 17 knots; cruising speed 11–13 knotsAccommodation: 45 persons, in 19 single-berth and

13 double-berth cabins

represents a new generation ofmarine research vessels. Withits vibration- and noise-dampeddiesel generators and its propellers driven by direct-current motors, "G.O. Sars" isan extremely quiet vesselunder way. It emits 99 % lessnoise under water than conventional research vessels.This means that the fish thatare being registered by thevessel’s acoustic instrumentsare not scared off, giving thescientists better biomass mea-surements of the fish in the sea.

Roomy trawl-deckThe new "G.O. Sars" has anextremely roomy and well-equipped trawl-deck. This is noless than 18,6 m broad, isequipped with two sets trawlwinches and has room for two

complete sets of trawl-doors.This means that a pelagic trawlcan be deployed as soon as thebottom trawl has been hauled,and the scientists can thuscombine cod and capelin studies,for example, on the same cruise.

The efficiency of research cruiseshas also been improved by thefact that "G.O. Sars" has sufficientengine power to tow a largepelagic trawl at speeds as highas 5–6 knots, which is impor-tant when representative sam-ples of fast-swimming fish suchas mackerel are being taken.

Environmental studies"G.O. Sars" is equipped with alarge midships "environmentalhangar" which contains nofewer than six winches, each ofwhich carries up to 6000metres of cable for lowering

instruments to the deepestparts of the sea. One of thewinches is loaded with fibre-optic cable, which is capable oftransferring large quantities ofdata. At the after end of thetrawl-deck are two winchesfor towing plankton samplingequipment and remotely operated underwater vehicles(ROVs). The new "G.O. Sars"contains several special labora-tories for performing environ-mental, plankton and fish analyses, and the aim is thatmost of the analysis of data willbe carried out on board beforethe vessel returns to port.

Geology and seismicsThe vessel is also equipped tocollect core samples 25 metresinto seabed sediments, and aspecial echosounder will be

capable of studying sedimentsas much as 150 m below theseabed. The new "G.O. Sars"will also be able to carry outseismic studies using towed air-guns and hydrophones.These studies will be carriedout by the University of Bergen.

Advanced acousticsThe new vessel is equippedwith advanced acoustic instru-ments (echosounders andsonars) which will be capableof registering fish throughoutthe water column, from thesurface down to the seabed.The vessel has an echosounderthat operates at six differentfrequencies simultaneously.Three multi-beam sonars havealso been installed to identifyand measure shoals of fish. Aspecial echosounder will chart

The new "G.O. Sars"

39

the seabed topography, whileyet another will measure oceancurrents.

The new "G.O. Sars", which isused by the University ofBergen and the Institute ofMarine Research, was handedover in May 2003.

Institute of Marine ResearchNordnesgaten 50Postbox 1870 NordnesN-5817 BergenNorway

Tel: +47 55 23 85 00 Fax: +47 55 23 85 31E-mail: post@imr.noInternet: www.imr.no

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