Suorita haku

Aranda’s history

Finnish research vessels – over one hundred years of history

Research expeditions have been made in the Baltic Sea for more than a hundred years. At the beginning of the 20th century, marine scientists used a steamship - today the research vessel Aranda runs on biodiesel. There has been a wide variety of turning points, as well as research vessels during a century of marine research. Up to three of the research ships have carried the name Aranda.

The customs patrol steamship SS Suomi

The first Finnish marine scientific expedition was carried out in 1898 on the customs patrol steamship SS Suomi.

The steamship Nautilus 1903 – 1938

In 1903, marine scientists gained access to the steamship Nautilus, which was built for fisheries and marine research use. The Nautilus was used by the Institute of Marine Research, which was established after Finland's independence, until 1938.

This vessel now serves as a cruise ship under the name Nikolai II.

Höyrylaivasta nousee mustaa höyryä kaupungin edustalla. Mies kurottautuu aluksen laidan yli ja nostaa vesinäytettä Kaksi miestä pitävät laidasta kiinni ja yrittävät pysyä pystyssä, kun vesi tulvii kannelle.

The steamship Nautilus.

Water samples are taken with a water sampling device on the deck of the SS Nautilus.

Taking samples during a storm. The working conditions of marine scientists are often highly variable.

The first Aranda 1939 – 1945

In the summer of 1939, marine scientists were granted access to the first ship named Aranda. This steamship was originally built as an ice-strengthened passenger ship. It also served as seagoing ship capable of travelling through thin ice, as well as a cruise ship for schoolchildren. Marine scientists had time to make only one expedition on the first Aranda before the outbreak of the Second World War.

In 1945, the ship was handed over to the Soviet Union as part of Finland’s war reparations.

Mustavalkoinen kuva höyryaluksesta, jossa on juhlaliputus.
The SS Aranda only managed to make a single research expedition before the Second World War.

The second Aranda 1953 – 1989

In 1953, a seagoing research vessel was completed, which was named MS Aranda after its predecessor. It was considerably larger than the first Aranda and equipped with a wide range of equipment for conducting marine, seafloor, and fisheries surveys. In 1957, Aranda travelled as far as the Svalbard Archipelago in the Arctic Ocean.

Valkoinen alus, jossa on oranssit tehosteraidat. Aluksen kyljessä lukee: Aranda. Kuusi neliön muotoista mustavalkoista kuvaa vierekkäin. Kuvissa näkyy tunnelmapaloja Arandan matkasta Huippuvuorille.

Second Aranda

Completed in 1953, the research vessel MS Aranda was equipped with a versatile array of research equipment.

Second Aranda

The research vessel Aranda travelled to Svalbard in 1957.

During the open-water season, the Aranda made research expeditions, while in winter the ship was used to transport passengers to islands in the Turku Archipelago when the sea was covered by thin ice. In 1974, the Aranda was transferred to carrying out research assignments full-time. The vessel was in use by the Finnish Institute of Marine Research until 1989.

Today, the vessel operates in Kotka City as the training ship of the Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences (KyAMK), under the name MS Katariina.

Kaksi kurahousuihin pukeutunutta tutkijaa ottavat näytettä laivan kannella. Mies seisoo tukevasti ja nostaa vaijerin päässä olevaa kauhaa. Tutkija seisovat aluksen kannella ja nostavat näytettä merestä. Mies tutkii karttaa komentosillalla. Kuvan etualalla on ohjaimia, joista etummaisessa lukee

Marine researchers working on the second ArandaTaking samples is physical work. In the photo, benthic faunal samples are taken using a benthic grab.

Jan-Erik Bruun

Taking samples on the deck of the second Aranda. In the photo, work is carried out using a series of water samplers.

Jan-Erik Bruun

A moment of reflection on the bridge of the second Aranda.

Jan-Erik Bruun

The third Aranda 1989 –

In 1989, the Finnish Institute of Marine Research acquired a new research vessel to meet the needs of modern marine research, which was named Aranda after its two predecessors. The RV Aranda was first owned by the Finnish Institute of Marine Research, after which the ship became the property of the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE). The vessel was not only designed especially for year-round research in the Baltic Sea but also for the study of the polar regions. In addition to the Baltic Sea, Aranda has operated in both the Antarctic and the Arctic.

Yläviistosta otettu kuva aluksesta, jonka sivulla on oranssi ja vihreä raita. Satama korkeiden vuorten kainalossa. Aranda keskellä kuvaa muiden alusten ympäröimänä. Kaksi naista kurahousuissa istuu nurin käännettyjen vatien päällä ja käsittelevät näytteitä kaasunaamarit päällä.

Third Aranda

In 1989, this new modern marine research vessel was named Aranda after its predecessors.

The third Aranda in the Port of Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego, South America.

Jan-Erik Bruun

Handling samples on the sampling deck of the third Aranda.

Jan-Erik Bruun

In the period from 2017 to 2018, the RV Aranda underwent major repairs and alteration work at the Rauma Marine Constructions Oy's shipyard in Rauma, western Finland. The ship’s most visible change was its seven-metre extension. The stern and stern were redesigned, and a new section was added midships. The additional section allowed the expansion of the research and laboratory facilities.

Thanks to the new shape of the hull and the newly refurbished transmission, Aranda can move better in the Baltic Sea ice, as well as at the edges of the ice field in the Arctic Ocean.

Aranda's repairs at the RMC shipyard in Rauma. With the changes, the length of the ship was increased by seven metres

Contact information for the research vessel Aranda