RRS Sir David Attenborough

RRS Sir David Attenborough berthed in Liverpool, England
History
Falkland Islands
NameRRS Sir David Attenborough
NamesakeSir David Attenborough
OwnerNERC Research Ship Unit
OperatorBritish Antarctic Survey
Port of registryStanley, Falkland Islands
BuilderCammell Laird
Cost£200 million (2014) (equivalent to £257.3 million in 2023)
Yard number1390
Laid down17 October 2016
Launched14 July 2018
Sponsored byCatherine, Princess of Wales
Christened26 September 2019
Completed2 December 2020
Identification
StatusIn service
General characteristics
Tonnage
Length128.9 m (423 ft)
Beam24 m (79 ft)
Draught7 m (23 ft)
Depth11 m (36 ft)
Ice class
Installed power
  • 2 × Bergen B33:45L6A (2 × 3,600 kW)
  • 2 × Bergen B33:45L9A (2 × 5,400 kW)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 17.5 knots (32.4 km/h; 20.1 mph) (maximum)
  • 13 knots (24 km/h; 15 mph) (cruising)
  • 3 knots (5.6 km/h; 3.5 mph) in 1 m (3 ft) ice
Range19,000 nautical miles (35,000 km; 22,000 mi) at 13 knots
Endurance60 days
Crew
  • 28 crew
  • 60 scientists
  • 2 spare berths
Aircraft carriedFacilities for 2 helicopters

RRS Sir David Attenborough is a research vessel owned by the Natural Environment Research Council and operated by the British Antarctic Survey for the purposes of both research and logistic support. The ship replaces a pair of existing vessels, RRS James Clark Ross and RRS Ernest Shackleton. The vessel is named after broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough.