News
Svea has finally been given her name
Published: 07 October 2019
H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria gave SLU's new research vessel, R/V Svea, its name at a ceremony in the home port Lysekil.
Many Lysekilers came to the naming ceremony at Gullmarskajen. On that day they could only see the vessels exterior. During the Thursday, the next day, they were however able to see the inside and get information about all her equipment. Many were curious and there was en even stream of visitors.
Before the naming there was a seminar for invited guests at "Societetshuset Oscars" where e.g. SLU's Pro Vice-Chancellor Erik Fahlbeck talked about the process of building a vessel. Representatives of SLU and SMHI spoke about the different areas of research that are performed at sea. SMHI will use the vessel for research and environmental analysis together with SLU.
One of the reasons why Svea's home port is Lysekil is that SLU's institute of marine research at the department of aquatic resources is located here. The city of Lysekil has also been forthcoming to SLU's needs and requirements. Lysekil strives to make the city a center for maritime activity.
Photo: Jenny Svennås-Gillner, SLU (all photos)
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The Crown Princess and R/V Svea's commander Malin Andersson on their way to the podium where the Crown Princess will name the vessel.
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R/V Svea in gazing sun. R/V means Research Vessel.
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The Crown Princess was particularly interested in the vessel's chem lab and asked about the de-oxygenated bottoms of the Baltic Sea.
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Lasse Thorell, head of the Ship Management Unit, presented the Crown Princess with a gift made out of the same wood as the vessel's work deck. The Crown Princess jokingly asked if that couldn't cause the ship to leake.
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The Crown Princess managed to break the bottle on the first try and she was notably content.
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Svea is primarily used to explore and monitor the eco systems of the Baltic Sea, Kattegat and Skagerak. SMHI collects data about the marine environment and SLU monitors fish stocks. The information is used e.g. for international marine and climate research and as scientific basis for decisions about fishing quotas.
Svea is fully equipped for oceanography and fishery research. She has remotely operated towed vehicles (ROTV's), other underwater vehicles, advanced acoustic instruments to assess amounts of fish in the sea, and specially designed instruments for water sampling.
R/V Svea in owned by SLU and the Swedish Maritime Administration is responsible for crew and management.