Blyth Marine Station and Research Vessel, The Princess Royal
Our Blyth Marine Station is based at the Port of Blyth. This state-of-the-art facility supports the operation of our Research Vessel, The Princess Royal.
Blyth Marine Station
We use this facility to enhance the learning experience of our undergraduates and postgraduates. We also use it for education and engagement with local schools and colleges.
The facility has:
- an operational office
- workshops for support and maintenance of the vessel and its equipment
- a recirculating seawater aquarium
- facilities for staff, undergraduate and postgraduate students to use when preparing for trips on the vessel
- facilities for engineering-related outreach activities for school children
Research Vessel, The Princess Royal
The catamaran has established itself as the ideal platform for small research vessels due to its stability, large deck area and manoeuvrability.
Our unique marriage of the catamaran and the deep-vee hull form with anti-slamming bulbous bows gives enhanced seakeeping, efficiency and speed potential whilst maintaining its other inherent virtues.
With an operational area encompassing the North-East coast of England, it is no coincidence that the boat features tunnel sterns and the deep fore-foot of the Northumbrian Coble.
Available for hire
The Princess Royal is available for commercial charter.
The flexible nature of the vessel platform makes her ideally suited for wind-farm support, marine mammal and bird survey, servicing of moored oceanographic equipment and more traditional EIA support work such as benthic trawling, sediment sampling and habitat mapping.
She is also fully equipped to support a broad range of maritime research in both the marine science and engineering fields.
We welcome enquiries and collaboration with researchers from UK and EU institutes.
If you are interested in chartering the Princess Royal in support of your work we are happy to discuss your requirements, please contact marineoutstations@newcastle.ac.uk.
Track the Princess Royal
You can track the Princess Royal as she sails around the North Sea by visiting www.marinetraffic.com and inserting the name 'Princess Royal, UK'.
Contact us
marineoutstations@newcastle.ac.uk
Newcastle University
School of Natural and Environmental Sciences
Blyth Marine Station
Quay Road
Blyth
NE24 3PA
The Princess Royal carries:
- enough fuel to cover 5000 miles at eight knots
- sufficient food and water to remain at sea for three days
- three drum trawl winches, each weighing 2 tonnes each and able to carry 200 metres of 12mm diameter wire
- a deck crane, providing lifting facilities over the working deck
Accommodation
The vessel is certified by the Marine and Coastguard Agency for up to four crew and twelve scientists on a day basis. Life Saving Appliances are carried for sixteen people.
The wheelhouse is spacious and allows up to ten people to have bench space.
Equipped with bench top PCs, a fridge/freezer and data and power for external equipment.
Below decks there are two cabins with bunks for four people, a galley/mess room, small shower and bathroom.
|
Length Overall |
18.9m |
|
Beam Overall |
7.3m |
|
Design Draft |
1.64m |
|
Displacement (light) |
36 tonnes |
|
Payload |
5 tonnes |
|
Max Speed |
20 knots |
|
Cruising Speed |
15 knots |
|
Engines 2 |
x 600hp |
|
Propulsion |
Fixed pitch propellers |
Normal area of operation
The coastal waters, rivers and estuaries of North East England.
Operating conditions
- Classification MCA category 2
- Sea state 4-5
- Range 400 nautical miles