Chikyu ready for service

摘要

Japan's large new deepsea research ship, actually completed in mid-2005, was expected to sail on her first test expedition recently, after months of trials, off the coast of Hokkaido. The spring of 2006 will see the entry into full service of the unique research/drilling vessel Chikyu. She has been constructed for the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science & Technology (JAMSTEC), which placed the order with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. This builder decided to subcontract both construction and marine outfitting of the hull to Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding (MES). Thus, the major part of the vessel has been constructed at MES's Tamano yard, adjacent to the company's engine works, which has provided the power plant for Chikyu. Final outfitting of the drilling equipment and associated systems was carried out by Mitsubishi at its Koyagi yard near Nagasaki.