The Marine National Facility RV Southern Surveyor.

Australia's Marine National Facility - exploring our oceans

The Marine National Facility supports research across Australia's vast ocean territory and adjoining oceans.

• 15 May 2009 | Updated 14 October 2011

• Overview
• Applying for use

Overview

The Marine National Facility is owned and managed by CSIRO on behalf of the nation, with its operations funded by the Australian Government to enable oceanographic, geoscientific, fishery and ecosystem research.

The Marine National Facility comprises:

• a Research Vessel for conducing blue-water scientific voyages, presently RV Southern Surveyor
• a package of scientific equipment and instrumentation
• a collection of more than 25 years of marine data and the scientific, technical and administrative systems and expertise required to safely, effectively and efficiently manage blue-water research and provide scientific, technical and administrative support to research vessel users
• the Marine National Facility Steering Committee and Marine National Facility Scientific Advisory Committee.

The ship, RV Southern Surveyor, is Australia's only dedicated national blue-water research vessel and it is used by marine scientists to explore and study Australia's vast oceans. Access to the Marine National Facility is open to Australian researchers and their international collaborators, and is allocated on the basis of scientific merit through robust and accountable peer review of scientific applications to use the Facility.

Scientists who have conducted research voyages on Southern Surveyor have made a valuable contribution to delivering Australian marine science research objectives. The vessel is particularly suited to multi-disciplinary research projects beyond the continental shelf, known as blue-water research.

An active blue-water marine research vessel is essential in order to provide the capacity to:

• accurately and rapidly detect and predict changes in the ocean environment
• monitor coastal ecosystems and living resources
• investigate and assess the unique marine geology surrounding Australia.

The Marine National Facility is strongly benefits the nation by operating and supporting blue-water research in the Australian territory, supporting many research organisations and producing myriad science discoveries.

Applying for use

Australian marine researchers are invited to submit applications for use of Southern Surveyor.

More information on the facility, including voyage plans and how to apply for sea time, can be found on the Marine National Facility website: Marine National Facility - Southern Surveyor [external link].

Take a virtual tour of the Southern Surveyor [new window].