Technical Details

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
A vintage black and white photograph of the F.R.S. Explorer, a research vessel built for the Scottish Home Department in Edinburgh, shown on the water with detailed specifications listed below.
Technical blueprint of a ship named 'Explorer,' detailing various decks and sections including the boat deck, bridge deck, forecastle deck, wheelhouse top, and profile views with labeled components and measurements.

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.