Galway Bay fm newsroom – Galway-based research vessel The Celtic Explorer will spend most of the year at sea exploring the hidden depths of the ocean thanks to three million euro in funding.
It’ll join fellow research vessel The Celtic Voyager to spend 256 days at sea this year to allow researchers to carry out surveys to better our understanding of the ocean.
The state-owned boats are run by the Marine Institute in Oranmore, which is providing the three million euro in funding as part of its annual Ship-Time Programme.
The Celtic Explorer and Celtic Voyager will also be joined by the remotely operated Holland I which can dive to depths of up to 2 miles.
Research Vessel Manager Aodhan Fitzgerald says the funding will support a range of important research projects.