Last week, the hull of research vessel (RV) Wim Wolff was launched for transport from N. Dijkstra Metaalbewerking to Thecla Bodewes Shipyards in Harlingen. Here the vessel will be completed for delivery this summer.

The schedule for the finishing phase was drawn up while the hull was under construction. The finishing phase is scheduled to take six months, with a contractual delivery date in week 29 (17-23 July). The work includes the electrical installations, the engine room, carpentry, etc., based on the engineering blueprints.

Following a tendering procedure and contract negotiations, contractors were selected to supply each of the components. Thecla Bodewes Shipyards selects the necessary equipment and materials in consultation with the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ).

Watch a video of the RV Wim Wolff being launched and leaving N. Dijkstra Metaalbewerking below.

Also read: VIDEO: New NIOZ research vessel Wim Wolff moves out of production hall

RV Wim Wolff

In January 2021, the NWO-I (Dutch Research Council) Foundation Board approved the tendering for the research vessel RV Wim Wolff. This vessel will replace the RV Navicula, which has completed forty years of reliable service on the Wadden Sea and in the Zeeland delta.

After a careful selection process, Thecla Bodewes Shipyards in the north of the Netherlands was chosen to construct the vessel. The vessel is named after Wadden ecologist Wim Wolff, who played an instrumental role in international mudflat research.

In total, NWO-I and NIOZ are replacing three research vessels that wil form the new national research fleet. In July 2022, the RV Adriaen Coenen replaced RV Stern. In November 2022, it was announced that RV Anna Weber-van Bosse – the successor to flagship RV Pelagia – will be built by shipyard Astilleros Armon in Spain. 

Also read: Dutch maritime industry outraged that Spanish yard will build new NIOZ ship