RV Coastal Guardian
Encyclopedia
RV Coastal Guardian is a survey vessel
which is owned and operated by the Environment Agency
. Her work takes her around the UK, most notably the West Coast.
began to construct a series of survey vessels for the Environment Agency. Vigilance was the first of four similar vessels and delivered by David Abels for work in the Bristol Channel
in 1990. The follow on ships constructed were the Sea Vigil based on the South Coast, Coastal Guardian for the River Mersey
and Water Guardian, based on the North East Coast, but spent some time in the Bristol Channel while the University of Plymouth
chartered the Vigilance. Ranging from 42 to 71 tonnes, and 15.8 to 16.5 m (52 to 54 ft) in length, they are 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) ships operated by the Agency's National Marine Service. Their complement includes scientists and each are fitted for survey activities such as taking seabed samples, trawling and water sampling as methods to monitor the area's coastline, including use of Meteorological sea surface temperature equipment on a tow fish when required.
Survey vessel
A survey vessel is any type of ship or boat that is used for mapping. It is a type of research vessel.-Role:The task of survey vessels is to map the bottom, benthic zone, full water column, and surface for the purpose of:* hydrography* general oceanography...
which is owned and operated by the Environment Agency
Environment Agency
The Environment Agency is a British non-departmental public body of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and an Assembly Government Sponsored Body of the Welsh Assembly Government that serves England and Wales.-Purpose:...
. Her work takes her around the UK, most notably the West Coast.
History
In the late 1980s, Abels ShipbuildersAbels Shipbuilders
Abels Shipbuilders Ltd is a ship and boat builder in Bristol, England. They are now the largest remaining shipbuilder in Bristol.-Business:...
began to construct a series of survey vessels for the Environment Agency. Vigilance was the first of four similar vessels and delivered by David Abels for work in the Bristol Channel
Bristol Channel
The Bristol Channel is a major inlet in the island of Great Britain, separating South Wales from Devon and Somerset in South West England. It extends from the lower estuary of the River Severn to the North Atlantic Ocean...
in 1990. The follow on ships constructed were the Sea Vigil based on the South Coast, Coastal Guardian for the River Mersey
River Mersey
The River Mersey is a river in North West England. It is around long, stretching from Stockport, Greater Manchester, and ending at Liverpool Bay, Merseyside. For centuries, it formed part of the ancient county divide between Lancashire and Cheshire....
and Water Guardian, based on the North East Coast, but spent some time in the Bristol Channel while the University of Plymouth
University of Plymouth
Plymouth University is the largest university in the South West of England, with over 30,000 students and is 9th largest in the United Kingdom by total number of students . It has almost 3,000 staff...
chartered the Vigilance. Ranging from 42 to 71 tonnes, and 15.8 to 16.5 m (52 to 54 ft) in length, they are 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) ships operated by the Agency's National Marine Service. Their complement includes scientists and each are fitted for survey activities such as taking seabed samples, trawling and water sampling as methods to monitor the area's coastline, including use of Meteorological sea surface temperature equipment on a tow fish when required.