Marine Science Vessel Celtic Voyager Sets Sail to Canada

1st December 2023

Research vessel Celtic Voyager - during its 25-year service life and has completed more than 600 surveys, enabled more than 6,500 science days, and sailed more than 550,000 miles while in service with the Marine Institute Credit: Bob Bateman

The Marine Institute's Celtic Voyager, Ireland's first multi-purpose research vessel, has been sold to Qikiqtaaluk Corporation of Nunavut, Canada. The vessel has played a significant role in advancing marine science and monitoring for the Irish government during its 25-year service life and has completed more than 600 surveys, enabled more than 6,500 science days, and sailed more than 550,000 miles while in service with the Marine Institute.

Speaking as the vessel departed Irish shores, Michael Gillooly, Interim CEO Marine Institute, said, "We welcome the purchase of the vessel by Qikiqtaaluk Corporation of Canada and are pleased to see that it will continue its work in the areas of fisheries research and seabed mapping in the Nunavut Territory Canada."

The vessel will continue to be used for fisheries research and seabed mapping in Northern territories and Nunavut in Canada. Qikiqtaaluk Corporation is the Inuit birthright development corporation for the Qikiqtani Region and seeks to strengthen the social and economic well-being of Nunavut and the 15,000+ Inuit it represents.

The vessel was operated by P&O Maritime Services Ltd in recent years, and the excellent condition of the vessel is a testament to the crew and shore-based personnel who have sailed and maintained it over the years.

The sale of the Celtic Voyager was facilitated by ship brokers "Hanseatic Offshore Brokers" (HOB).

The vessel has provided a generation of marine scientists, researchers, and crew members with many years of experience at sea, creating abiding memories for them and supporting Ireland's increase in international marine research profile over the last 25 years. The Celtic Voyager's busy annual schedule and wide geographic range provided Ireland with important data and research outputs as the platform delivered a range of national monitoring programs.

The Celtic Voyager has since been replaced in the national marine research fleet by the RV Tom Crean. The Marine Institute bids her a fond farewell and wishes her and her crew and all who sail on her fair winds and following seas.

Published in Marine Science

Tagged under

Celtic Voyager

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