RV MTA Sismik 1

Career (Turkey)
Name: MTA Sismik 1
ex Hora (1954)
ex Hercules (1949)
ex Agir (1942)
Owner: Istanbul Technical University
Operator: Faculty of Maritime
Builder: Nazi Germany
Launched: 18 May 1942, rebuilt 1976
Commissioned: 1976
Homeport: Tuzla, Istanbul
Identification: IMO number: 5154806
MMSI Number 271002205
Callsign TCVR
Status: In active service as training ship
General characteristics
Class and type:Geophysical exploration ship
Tonnage:720 GT
275 NRT
Length:56.45 m (185 ft 2 in)
Beam:8.80 m (28 ft 10 in)
Draft:3.90 m (12 ft 10 in) (max.)
Installed power:1,050 hp (780 kW)
Propulsion:Diesel engine
Speed:12 knots (22 km/h) (service)
Endurance:25 days autonomous
Complement:12 scientists
Crew:7 officers and 16 seamen
Armament:None

The RV MTA Sismik 1 is a decommissioned Turkish research vessel belonging to Istanbul Technical University. She is operated by its Faculty of Maritime for training purposes.[1][2] Originally, she was owned by the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA) in Ankara and operated by its division of Geophysical Directorate for subsea geophysical exploration.[3]

The ship's crew consists of 7 officers and 16 seamen. Research work is conducted by 12 scientists aboard.[4] She has an autonomous endurance of 25 days.[5]

History

The ship was built by Danziger Werft in Danzig for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine. Named Ägir, she was launched on May 18, 1942. After World War II, she was taken by the United Kingdom to England, where she was rebuilt in a salvage tug, and renamed Hercules in 1949. She was based in Gibraltar from 1950 until 1954 when she was sold to Turkey.[6][7]

Her Turkish owner, the Denizcilik Bankası renamed her Hora and put her as salvage tug in service four year long from 1954 in Istanbul, and then ten years long in İzmir. In 1968, she was acquired by the Port Authority of Izmir to be used as stationary pilot boat.[6][7]

In 1975, MTA purchased the ship Hora to transform her into a research vessel, and renamed her MTA Sismik 1. After fitting her with up to date technology equipment for subsea geophysical exploration at seas around Turkey, she was commissioned in 1976.[4][7]

Finally in 2005, it was decided that the more than 60-year old ship has completed her service life. She was donated to Istanbul Technical University's Faculty of Maritime to be used as a training ship.[1]

Characteristics

MTA Sismik 1 is 56.45 m (185 ft 2 in) long, with a beam of 8.80 m (28 ft 10 in) and a max. draft of 3.90 m (12 ft 10 in). Assessed at 720 GT and 275 NRT, the ship is propelled by a 1,050 hp (780 kW) diesel engine. She has a speed of 12 knots (22 km/h) in service.[3]

Ship's register

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Altunsoy, İsmail (2011-09-19). "Akdeniz'de sular ısındı, gözler MTA'nın yaptıracağı sismik gemide". Zaman (in Turkish). Retrieved 2011-09-25.
  2. "MTA Sismik I photos". Marine Traffic. Retrieved 2011-09-24.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "MTA Sismik-1 Vessel Data". Research Vessels. Retrieved 2011-09-24.
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Anasayfa". Maden Tetkik ve Arama Genel Müdürlüğü-İdari ve Mali İşler Dairesi Başkanlığı. Retrieved 2011-09-24.
  5. "Specifications of MTA Sismik-1 Research Vessel". MTA. Archived from the original on 2009-04-16. Retrieved 2011-09-24.
  6. 6.0 6.1 "MTA Sismik 1". Ship Stamps. Retrieved 2011-09-24.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 "MTA Sismik 1". Türk Gemileri. Retrieved 2011-09-24.