The former Norwegian Government fishing support vessel DR. FRIDTJOF NANSEN built in Norway was seen at Malta as the research vessel OCEAN VANGUARD homeported at Majuro, Marshall Islands (MHL Flag).
Built in Norway by Flekkefjord Slipp & Maskinfabrikk as yard no 152 with keel laid on 18th November 1992, launched on 13th March 1993 and completed 7 months later on 1st October, 1993 for the Institute of Marine Research (Havforskningsinstituttet) owned by the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs as DR. FRIDTJOF NANSEN.
In 2016 she was sold to make space for the latest DR. FRIDTJOF NANSEN which was built in Spain and renamed as KRISTINE BONNEVIE. During November 2018 she was converted and modified for North Atlantic and Arctic work and after she was sold and renamed with her current name since 1st March, 2024.
She entered Grand Harbour on Friday 2nd August at 0853 hrs and berthed starboard side alongside at Quay Wall 1 West at MMH Malta Facilities.
Her dimensions are 56.75 metre long (loa) with 12,5 m beam with 5.75 metre as draught with steel hull and 3 transverse bulkheads while her ballast capacity is of 89.6 m³.
Meanwhile her propulsion is by 1 x Wichmann 6L28B – 6 cylinder diesel engine with controllable pitch propeller & 3 Cummins Generators.
Aboard she has the 2012 built 7.9m survey launch RT 2.
And this morning, 21st September 2024 which is Independence Day at Malta left Valletta at 0826 hrs bound to Gibraltar.
More images can be found here – https://maltashipphotos.com/photo/ocean-vanguard-21-09-2024/