Technical Details
Construction
| COMMISSIONED BY | Scottish Home Department |
| BUILT BY | Alexander Hall & Company Ltd, Aberdeen |
| HULL NO | AH 747 |
| KEEL LAID | 1954 |
| LAUNCHED | 1955 |
| ENTERED SERVICE | 1956 |
| HULL | Riveted steel |
| DECKHOUSE | Aluminium |
| PROPULSION | Double acting triple-expansion steam engine |
| ENGINEBUILDER | Alexander Hall & Company Ltd, Aberdeen |
| BOILER TYPE | Scotch Return Tube |
| BOILERMAKER | William Denny & Bros. Ltd, Dumbarton |
| BOILER YEAR | 1956 |
| MAIN GENERATOR | 2 X 80kW - Diesel |
| AUX GENERATOR | 1 X 24kW - Diesel |
Dimensions
| LENGTH OVERALL | 201.87 feet (61.57m) |
| REGISTERED | 186.92 feet (56.97m) |
| LBP | 180.08 feet (54.89m) |
| BREADTH: BEAM | 32.72 feet (9.98m) |
| DEPTH | 14.16 feet (4.32m) |
| LOADED DRAFT | 16.58 feet (5.05m) |
| GROSS TONNAGE | 832t |
| NET TONNAGE | 225t |
| ACCOMMODATION | 38 crew and 8 scientists |
| BUNKER FUEL | 270t |
| DIESEL FUEL | 34t |
| FRESH WATER | 113t |
Operational parameters
| POWER | 1000 Ihp (746kW) |
| SPEED | 12 knots |
| RANGE | 8000 miles |
The Explorer has a long journey ahead and it’s all hands on deck
Given her primary role as a research vessel FRV Explorer contained one of the first onboard analogue computers for a ship of her type and was fitted out to the highest of standards to ensure the comfort of the scientists and seamen who served on her.