RRS James Clark Ross
One of the world's most advanced polar research vessels
Research ships
Two ice-strengthened Royal Research Ships, the RRS James Clark Ross (JCR) and the RRS Ernest Shackleton (ES) support Britain’s Antarctic and Arctic operations. In September/October of each year both vessels sail to Antarctica from the UK and return the following May/June for annual refit before JCR deploys to the Arctic and ES undertakes commercial charter work. The ships are registered at Stanley in the Falkland Islands.
RRS Ernest Shackleton
Used mainly for transporting staff and cargo to research stations. On charter when not in Antarctica
RRS Sir David Attenborough
A new polar research ship for Britain, scheduled to enter service in 2019
Science at sea
Enabling frontier science
Shipborne engineering and technology
Enabling scientific investigation in deep-sea biology, biogeochemistry and seafloor geology