RV MTA Sismik 1

The RV MTA Sismik 1 is a decommissioned Turkish research vessel belonging to Istanbul Technical University. She is operated by its Faculty of Maritime for training purposes.[1][2] Originally, she was owned by the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA) in Ankara and operated by its division of Geophysical Directorate for subsea geophysical exploration.[3]

History
Turkey
Name
  • MTA Sismik 1
  • ex Hora (1954)
  • ex Hercules (1949)
  • ex Agir (1942)
OwnerIstanbul Technical University
OperatorFaculty of Maritime
BuilderNazi Germany
Launched18 May 1942, rebuilt 1976
Commissioned1976
HomeportTuzla, Istanbul
Identification
StatusIn active service as training ship
General characteristics
Class and typeGeophysical exploration ship
Tonnage
Length56.45 m (185 ft 2 in)
Beam8.80 m (28 ft 10 in)
Draft3.90 m (12 ft 10 in) (max.)
Installed power1,050 hp (780 kW)
PropulsionDiesel engine
Speed12 knots (22 km/h) (service)
Endurance25 days autonomous
Complement12 scientists
Crew7 officers and 16 seamen
ArmamentNone

The ship's crew consists of 7 officers and 16 seamen. Research work is conducted by 12 scientists aboard.[4] She has an autonomous endurance of 25 days.[5]

History

The ship was built by Danziger Werft in Danzig for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine. Named Ägir, she was launched on May 18, 1942. After World War II, she was taken by the United Kingdom to England, where she was rebuilt as a salvage tug, and renamed Hercules in 1949. She was based in Gibraltar from 1950 until 1954 when she was sold to Turkey.[6][7]

Her Turkish owner, the Denizcilik Bankası renamed her Hora and used as a salvage tug in service four year long from 1954 in Istanbul, and for ten years in İzmir. In 1968, she was acquired by the Port Authority of Izmir to be used as a stationary pilot boat.[6][7]

In 1975, MTA purchased the ship Hora to transform her into a research vessel, and renamed her MTA Sismik 1. After fitting her with up to date technology equipment for subsea geophysical exploration at seas around Turkey, she was commissioned in 1976.[4][7]

Finally in 2005, it was decided that the more-than-60-year-old ship has completed her service life. She was donated to Istanbul Technical University's Faculty of Maritime to be used as a training ship.[1]

Characteristics

MTA Sismik 1 is 56.45 m (185 ft 2 in) long, with a beam of 8.80 m (28 ft 10 in) and a max. draft of 3.90 m (12 ft 10 in). Assessed at 720 GT and 275 NT, the ship is propelled by a 1,050 hp (780 kW) diesel engine. She has a speed of 12 knots (22 km/h) in service.[3]

Ship's register
  • 1942 ex Agir, built for the German Navy "Kriegsmarine",
  • 1949 ex Hercules, taken by the United Kingdom and rebuilt as salvage tug. 1950-1954 in Gibraltar,
  • 1954 *ex Hora, sold to Denizcilik Bankası in Turkey as salvage tug. 1954-1958 in Istanbul, 1958-1968 in Izmir. 1968-1970 as stationary pilot boat,
  • 1975 acquired by General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA), Geophysical Directorate,
  • 1976 MTA Sismik 1, transformed into research vessel by the MTA,
  • 2005 MTA Sismik 1, donated to Istanbul Technical University, Faculty of Maritime for training purposes.

See also

References
  1. Altunsoy, İsmail (19 September 2011). "Akdeniz'de sular ısındı, gözler MTA'nın yaptıracağı sismik gemide". Zaman (in Turkish). Retrieved 25 September 2011.
  2. "MTA Sismik I photos". Marine Traffic. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  3. "MTA Sismik-1 Vessel Data". Research Vessels. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  4. "Anasayfa". Maden Tetkik ve Arama Genel Müdürlüğü-İdari ve Mali İşler Dairesi Başkanlığı. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  5. "Specifications of MTA Sismik-1 Research Vessel". MTA. Archived from the original on 16 April 2009. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  6. "MTA Sismik 1". Ship Stamps. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  7. "MTA Sismik 1". Türk Gemileri. Retrieved 24 September 2011.


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