New German research vessel SONNE docked in Wellington

The German R/V SONNE, currently implementing scientific cruises in the New Zealand marine environment, has arrived in Wellington Harbor on Monday 21st March in order to take on board new scientific equipment and rotation of its scientific crew. The vessel will load the new sea floor drill rig system MeBo 200 developed by the Bremen MARUM Center for Marine Envi- ronmental Science (more info: https://www.marum.de/en/Marine_Technology.html). It will be brought into operation for the first time during the upcoming research cruise to explore slide ac- tivity on the Hikurangi margin (more info: https://www.marum.de/en/SO247_2.html).

The new flagship of the German scientific fleet is now docking at Queens Wharf where today a New Zealand German Science Circle event is tak-
ing place bringing together coastal, marine and
climate researchers from both countries.

The R/V SONNE is without doubt one of the most
modern multi-functional science vessels in the
world. On Tuesday Science and Innovation Minis-
ter Steven Joyce toured the ship and got impressed
by its sophisticated facilities and its multi-disciplinary mission involving quite a number of NZ researchers. More information on the ship and its activities in New Zealand can be found at the German Embassy’s website (www.wellington.diplo.de/Vertretung/wellington/en/Startseite.html).

ENDS