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| title | chunk | source | category | tags | date_saved | instance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S. A. Agulhas II | 2/2 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S._A._Agulhas_II | reference | science, encyclopedia | 2026-05-05T13:18:40.662138+00:00 | kb-cron |
=== Facilities === Unlike her predecessor, S. A. Agulhas II was built from the beginning as both a polar supply ship as well as a research vessel. She has both onboard laboratories for scientific research as well as cargo holds and tanks for supplies for South African polar research stations. In addition she has accommodations for 100 passengers in 46 cabins and facilities such as gym, library, sauna, business centre and a 100-seat auditorium. S. A. Agulhas II has eight permanent and six containerized laboratories for different fields of marine, environmental, biological and climate research totalling 800 square metres (8,600 sq ft). Deep-water probes can be launched either via a large door in the side of the vessel or, if the ship is operating in ice-infested waters, through a 2.4-by-2.4-metre (7.9 by 7.9 ft) moon pool. A drop keel containing transducers for the measurement of plankton density and ocean currents can be lowered 3 metres (9.8 ft) below the bottom of the ship. A hydraulic A-frame in the stern of the ship can be used to tow sampling nets and dredges. To transport supplies to polar research stations, the ship has a 4,000-cubic-metre (140,000 cu ft) cargo hold located in the bow of the vessel. It is served by a 35-ton main crane and three 10-ton general cargo cranes, all of which can also be used to lower scientific equipment and vehicles on ice. When heavy loads are being lifted, a heeling tank is used to balance the vessel. S. A. Agulhas II is the first ship of her kind to be allowed to carry both passengers and fuel, such as polar diesel, Jet A helicopter fuel and petrol, as cargo. S. A. Agulhas II has a hangar and helideck capable of serving two Atlas Oryx or Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma helicopters. She also has two fast rescue craft, which are on standby during helicopter operations, and two fully enclosed lifeboats for 75 personnel. S.A. Agulhas II is fitted with a state-of-the-art Raytheon Anschutz integrated bridge navigation system. The vessel maintains positioning during offloading at the ice shelf, as well as during scientific survey work, using a Navis Engineering DP4000 dynamic positioning system.
=== Power and propulsion === S. A. Agulhas II is powered by four six-cylinder Wärtsilä 6L32 medium-speed diesel generating sets, each producing 3,000 kW (4,000 hp). To fulfill the International Maritime Organisation’s Safe Return to Port requirement, the main engines are located in two separate engine rooms and the ship is capable of returning to port with one engine room flooded. Designed according to the power plant principle in which the main generators supply electricity for all shipboard consumers, S. A. Agulhas II has no separate auxiliary generators. In case of emergency, electricity is provided by a Volvo Penta emergency diesel generator. The ship has a diesel-electric powertrain with two Converteam 4,500 kW propulsion motors driving 4.5-metre (15 ft) KaMeWa controllable pitch propellers, a relatively uncommon feature in diesel-electric ships which usually use fixed-pitch propellers. The propulsion system gives her a maximum speed of 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph) in open water, but her service speed is slightly lower, and at 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph) her operating range is 15,000 nautical miles (28,000 km; 17,000 mi). Furthermore, S. A. Agulhas II is designed to be able to break level ice with a thickness of 1 metre (3.3 ft) at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph). For dynamic positioning and manoeuvring in ports she has two Rolls-Royce bow thrusters and one stern thruster.
== Gallery ==
== See also ==
South African National Antarctic Programme SANAE Gough Island Marion Island
== References ==
== External links == South African National Antarctic Programme – owner's official website