The world’s most modern research ship
The hi-tech ship Sonne II is the newest in the German fleet of research ships.
The world’s most modern research ship put to sea on its first major voyage in December 2014. As captain of the Sonne II, Oliver Meyer is taking 40 scientists to their projects in the Pacific and the Indian Ocean. An interview.
Mr Meyer, what does it feel like to be captain of the world’s most modern research ship?
As you can imagine, captaining a ship equipped with such innovative technology is very inspiring. Before we left the port of Kiel at the beginning of December 2014, there was a bit of excitement: the Sonne II is the very first newly built ship that I have captained. The sea trials all went well, but you always feel a bit nervous about whether everything will go according to plan and whether the technology will function properly.
All went well in the end, and you have now set out on the first research voyage. What is your destination and who is on board?
We left Kiel for the Canary Islands and now we are crossing the Atlantic heading for the Caribbean. Our first research expedition is scheduled to end in the Dominican Republic on 26 January. The Sonne II has enough room for 40 scientists and 30 crew members. The current research team consists of geologists from the Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research – Geomar in Kiel – and biologists from the University of Hamburg. A new expedition sets off every four to six weeks with new research teams and projects.
What is being investigated?
The Sonne II’s main areas of operation are the Indian and the Pacific oceans. They both have a big influence on the global climate, and that’s why a close investigation of these oceans, especially deep-sea research, is becoming increasingly important. But Sonne II will also be making contributions and helping to answer other scientific and socially relevant questions, such as the supply of marine raw materials, and human intervention in the eco-systems.
Does it make any difference to you as a captain, whether you are heading a research ship or a passenger ship?
Yes, there’s a very big difference in fact: life on board a research ship is completely different. Everyone has to work together as a team. In contrast to a cruise ship, we all eat together in the same room, in the so-called mess. Occasionally we sit together in the ship’s lounge. Sometimes we already know some of the scientists from other expeditions. The expedition may well be a follow-up project and the crew gets a first-hand experience of its development. Such insights into research are very exciting.
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