RV Alkor

RV Alkor is a medium-sized multidisciplinary research vessel operated by the  on behalf of the State of Schleswig-Holstein. Since entering service in 1990, the vessel has played an important role in German and European marine research, particularly in the Baltic Sea, North Sea, Kattegat, and Skagerrak regions.

The approximately 55 m long vessel is designed for regional marine research and supports a broad range of scientific disciplines, including physical oceanography, marine biology, marine chemistry, marine geology, and geophysics. RV ALKOR is equipped with modern hydroacoustic systems, scientific winches and cranes, an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP), and flexible laboratory infrastructure that enables a wide variety of sampling and survey operations. The vessel can additionally deploy advanced underwater systems such as the ROV PHOCA and AUV ABYSS.

RV ALKOR typically accommodates up to 12 scientists alongside a crew of 11 and can remain at sea for up to 21 days. Four onboard laboratories, container laboratory capacity, and flexible working areas provide an adaptable environment for multidisciplinary expeditions, technical training, and student education. In addition to research missions, the vessel is regularly used for university teaching, practical courses, and training cruises for early-career marine scientists.