New United Arab Emirates (UAE) oceanographic research vessel Jaywun has been launched by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) to strengthen marine scientific research capabilities nationally and globally.
Jaywun will serve as a stage for the EDA’s Ocean World Discovery project, which aims to study the effects of climate change and monitor marine biodiversity in the UAE. The vessel will also support other environmental initiatives, such as the Blue Carbon Assessment Project for Ocean Fisheries, the region’s first blue carbon ocean fisheries assessment study.
The vessel was built and designed by family-owned shipyard Construcciones Navales P Freire SA (Freire Shipyard) in northwest Spain. The name “Jaywun” is a local term for one of the most valuable types of pearl due to its purity.
The oceanographic research vessel has an overall length of 47.1 metres, a beam of 12 metres and a draught of 4.2 metres. It has a speed of 13 knots and a range of 25 days at 11 knots.
Its two shaft lines, each driven by a 1,840 kW propulsion engine and complemented by a 200 kW electric motor (PTI), together with the thorough hydrodynamic study of the hull, allow Jaywun to offer 100% electric mode navigation at low speeds, lower fuel consumption and lower pollutant emissions.
Jawun can accommodate 29 people (18 crew and 11 scientists) and is equipped with the latest research equipment. It also includes six laboratories and a remotely operated underwater vehicle.
It is also equipped with several winches and gantries, as well as echo sounders for scientific purposes, such as two multi-beam probes or one for fishing purposes.
