Simon Rogers Cutter Rigged One Design, SONG OF THE WHALE

Broker’s Comments

SONG OF THE WHALE is a well-known sight on the Solent. She was built locally to Berthon in Lymington and designed by Simon Rogers, who is also based in Lymington. An extraordinary resource for research, she is available for serious passages on a commercial basis worldwide. Since 2004, she has undertaken astonishing voyages and has significantly contributed to the protection of cetaceans around the globe. Designed to be one of the quietest research vessels operating internationally, she has been meticulously maintained, holding her Category 0 classification for worldwide commercial use.

There is simply nothing else like SONG OF THE WHALE, with her powerful sailing, long range, and thoughtful design and layout. She stands as a turn-key platform for various commercial applications.

While her owners would prefer to continue operating for the important work she is doing, a recent lack of consistant funding make this challenging. Accordingly, we are instructed to consider joint ventures and other proposals surrounding the use of SONG OF THE WHALE so that her commercial operation and the impactful work she does may continue.

Research Vessel SONG OF THE WHALE, The Inside Story from Berthon Int. & Marine Conservation Research

Owner’s Comments

RV SONG OF THE WHALE was designed and built primarily as a platform for whale research with particular consideration given to the requirements of passive acoustic techniques. As such SONG OF THE WHALE is recognised as being one of the quietest research vessels operating in the world. However, the vessel is easily configured for other applications and in addition to being a live-aboard research vessel, has also been used extensively by the current owners for expeditions and as a documentary filming platform. The vessel is steel-hulled, with outriggers for towing hydrophone arrays (underwater microphones) and other equipment / gear clear of the propeller wake, an 11-metre-high crow’s nest and an elevated A-frame which provides a 5 metre eye-height for visual surveying, and a dedicated computer room for acoustic detection and data logging systems.

The engine room and propulsion systems were specified and designed to minimise both air-borne and structure-borne noise and include innovative soundproofing materials and a five bladed propeller designed to minimise cavitation when under power. Electrical systems are designed to minimise RF noise. Additionally, a separate “quiet” power supply is used for research computers and acoustic/hydrophone equipment, to avoid electrical noise on recording systems. There is comfortable accommodation for 10-12 people, with two bathrooms, a large saloon/galley area for meetings, meals and relaxing, a dedicated computer room, bridge deck with desk space and chart table. In addition, there is a workshop (for building, repairing, maintaining and storing equipment) and a large aft deck (with hydraulic winch). Access to the water line is at the stern via steps to a large folding dive platform. For the purposes of heavy equipment deployment, the steps and dive platform may be replaced with a ramp from the working deck to the waterline. A gantry is positioned over the transom for the deployment/retrieval of equipment. The vessel currently carries two tenders (ZODIAC GRII equipped with wither 25hp or 9.9hp 4-stroke engines).

Additional detailed information on the vessel’s systems and equipment is available in the approved Operations and Training Manuals.