Shipyard dwellers' persistence - Modernization of ship "Meteor" occurred prior to recent exploration ventures.
The German research vessel "Meteor" is preparing for its potential final scientific journey after undergoing extensive renovations in Emden. The 98-meter-long ship has been at the Emder Werft and Dock GmbH for a few weeks, receiving updated research equipment for its upcoming expeditions. The Meteor, which is 38 years old, is set to be replaced by the "Meteor IV" in 2026, with work currently underway at the Lower Saxony Meyer Werft, Rostock Neptun-Werft, and Fassmer-Werft in Berne.
The Meteor will be conducting research trips in the North Atlantic and Middle Atlantic this year, according to data from the University of Hamburg's German research ship control center. To support these endeavors, a new echo sounder was installed to map the seabed at depths of up to 8,000 meters, as well as a new shallow water echo sounder for depths of up to 1,000 meters, according to Tim Schuette of the Leeraner Reederei Briese, who also oversees the German research ships "Maria S. Merian" and "Sonne."
While in the shipyard, various underwater coatings were repaired, cranes were serviced, windows and some wet cells in cabins were replaced, and the main engines were completely overhauled. The Meteor has traveled over a million nautical miles since its launch in 1986, with oceanographic missions to the North and South Atlantic, Arctic and Antarctic, as well as the Indian and Pacific Oceans. As a floating laboratory, the ship enables scientists to investigate the marine regions of Earth.
