2021 - Antarctic voyage
RV Tangaroa is undertaking a 45-day voyage (TAN2101) to the Southern Ocean and Ross Sea from early January and returning February 16, 2021.
Scientists will carry out nine separate objectives to better understand the processes governing this region and the role of the Marine Protected Area (established in December 2017) in protecting this environment. These include surveys of fish species and seabed habitats, ecosystem studies of plankton, oceanographic and atmospheric measurements to improve understanding of climate-related processes, and making observations of whales.
Science update 2 from Richard O’Driscoll
Day 13 of the Ross Sea Life in a Changing Climate (ReLiCC) 2021 voyage on RV Tangaroa finds us close to Cape Adare on the tip of the Antarctic continent. We’ve had a busy and icy week.
Message in a bottle: Dr Jenny Visser
This is now my eighth voyage to Antarctica on Tangaroa. While my medical skills have been called on many occasions, my daily consultation rate at sea is low. So, I fill my time with other activities including getting involved in the science if needed.
RV Tangaroa spots first iceberg
At midnight on Saturday, the crew on-board RV Tangaroa spotted the first iceberg of the voyage.
Science update 1 from Richard O’Driscoll, Voyage Leader
We have officially entered Antarctic waters! Five days after leaving Wellington on the Ross Sea Life in a Changing Climate (ReLiCC) 2021 voyage.
Voyage update 1 from Evan Solly, Ice Pilot
Ice Pilot Evan Solly gives an update from the first week on-board NIWA's research vessel Tangaroa as they embark on a six-week voyage to Antarctica.
NIWA heads to Antarctica for critical climate, ocean research
8 January 2021
NIWA’s flagship research vessel Tangaroa leaves soon on a six-week voyage to Antarctica, making it one of the few full scientific expeditions to the continent since the global outbreak of COVID-19.
RV Tangaroa's emergency food rations
These are barrels you don't want to be opening, but if things go south, it’s nice to know they’re there.
The marine protected area
The Ross Sea region is vital to the future of the Antarctic ecosystem.
Scientists on the trail of elusive sperm whales
21 December 2020
When scientists head south to Antarctica on board NIWA research vessel Tangaroa next month, they’ll be keeping a close eye out for an animal that is particularly good at staying out of sight.
Our research vessel
RV Tangaroa is New Zealand’s only ice strengthened and dynamically positioned deep-water research vessel.
Map of the course of RV Tangaroa taken during the TAN2101 voyage early Jan - 17 Feb 2021
Select anywhere on the red track to see position details and time as well as other vessel information. N.B. Dates and times are in UTC. New Zealand Standard Time (NZST) is 12 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Click on the ship icons for points of interest during the voyage.
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