| History | |
|---|---|
 Ireland | |
| Name | Lough Beltra |
| Namesake | Lough Beltra |
| Owner | Marine Institute |
| Operator | Marine Institute |
| Launched | 1973 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Fishing trawler / Research vessel |
| Tonnage | 115 |
| Length | 21 m (68 ft 11 in) |
| Draught | 3.3 m (10 ft 10 in) |
| Propulsion | 425 hp (317 kW) marine Caterpillar engine |
| Speed | 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) |
| Complement | 8 researchers |
RV Lough Beltra was a trawler launched in 1973 and registered in Dublin. In 1976, it was purchased by the government of Ireland and refitted as a research vessel.[1] It spent 4+1⁄2 years idle laid up in Howth harbour due to government cutbacks, but was then formally handed over to the Department of the Marine on 21 March 1988. Its roles included fisheries, oceanographic, coastal, geographic, and environmental research, and acting as a training vessel for marine scientists. It was fully controlled from the bridge and fitted with modern equipment including a Decca auto pilot, track plotter, navigator and radar.[2]
In the aftermath of the Whiddy Island disaster, the Lough Bealtra was made available at short notice to survey the effects of the disaster on the marine environment in Bantry Bay.[3] This involved making hydrographic and plankton surveys.
In 1997, it was replaced by the RV Celtic Voyager, Ireland's first custom-built research vessel.
References
- ↑ "Lough Beltra Handover". RTÉ.ie. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ↑ "Vessels". Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ↑ Grainger, R. J. R.; Duggan, C.; Minchin, D.; O'Sullivan, D. (1984). "Investigations in Bantry Bay following the Betelgeuse oil tanker disaster". hdl:10793/157. Retrieved 22 November 2023.