two research vessels a distance apart on the ocean

Research vessels

Providing access to Australia's tropical marine environments

The AIMS research fleet provides access to all of Australia's tropical marine environments. Two large purpose-built ships, the Research Vessel (RV) Cape Ferguson and the RV Solander, and a number of smaller vessels take researchers to the diverse habitats that make up our tropical marine environment.

Our major vessels are specially equipped with on-board laboratories, flow-through aquaria and computing facilities. These allow scientists to sample the physical and biological characteristics of various habitats and conduct experiments at sea. Inflatable tenders and on-board compressors support diving operations from the major vessels.