R/V Skagerak drew big crowds at the International Science Festival
Queues stretched along the quay in Frihamnen throughout Saturday as R/V Skagerak opened its decks to visitors during the International Science Festival. More than 300 people visited the research vessel. For some, the day also included a trip on board R/V Skagerak to explore what lies beneath the surface of Gothenburg Harbour.
“Yes, it’s finally happening! Third time lucky!”
With a steady step and a broad smile, the man walks up the gangway with his young son, ready to explore the University of Gothenburg’s high-tech research vessel R/V Skagerak for the first time.
He is one of more than 300 people who managed to secure a place on one of Saturday’s guided tours on board R/V Skagerak. As the vessel opened to the public for the third year in a row, interest was stronger than ever, with visitors of all ages making their way to Frihamnen for the chance to come on board.
During the 40-minute guided tours, visitors had the chance to meet researchers, crew and captain, and to get a closer look at both marine research and everyday life on board.
Among other things, visitors learned about the important CTD instrument in the hangar, heard about current marine research in the laboratory, and visited the bridge. On the aft deck, they also met researchers from Voice of the Ocean (VOTO) and the Polar Gliders Research Group at the University of Gothenburg, who work with autonomous underwater robots and underwater vehicles in both Swedish and international waters.
A chance to get closer to the research
For many visitors, the tour was a rare opportunity to see the research vessel from the inside and to meet the people who work on board.
Wenjing Zheng, who visited the vessel together with his son Max, highlighted what an asset the research vessel is to the university:
"I graduated in molecular biology from the University of Gothenburg. Not every university has the opportunity to have this kind of research vessel. It is really amazing, and it was wonderful to be able to visit it like this," he says.
he possibility of going to unexplored marine areas and making new discoveries feels amazing.
Arta Elisabeth Zena has also been curious for some time about what the vessel looks like inside:
"I have seen the vessel at Nya Varvet, so I wanted to come on board and see it from the inside. It is so exciting, and I would really like to take part in the research on board one day. The possibility of going to unexplored marine areas and making new discoveries feels amazing. It is also very nice to have the opportunity to come on board and meet marine researchers, the captain and the crew," she says.
Also on site was Studentradion, covering the Gothenburg Science Festival and taking the opportunity to visit R/V Skagerak. Filip Varenius interviewed, among others, captain Richard Olsson, marine chemist Adam Ulfsbo, and cook Erik Svanholm.
Long queues on the quay
The strong interest was also clear on the quay, where queues were at times long. The International Science Festival volunteers Helen Absim and Saad Mohamed spent the day by the vessel, making sure tickets were handed out on time and that everything ran smoothly.
Evening tour for competition winners
The day ended with the event R/V Skagerak by Night, when the research vessel left the quay for a trip towards Älvsborgsbron with a small group of people who had taken part in the International Science Festival competition and won.
A total of 128 people submitted entries, and the jury selected six winners, each of whom was allowed to bring a guest on board. During the evening tour, the group met the captain and crew, as well as Joachim Sturve, Professor of ecotoxicology at the University of Gothenburg, Leo Middleton, oceanographer at the University of Gothenburg, and Kristina Bernstén, environmental engineer at the Port of Gothenburg.
Together, they spoke about what can be found in the harbour sediments and how the marine environment is affected by port activity, as well as by the constant inflow of water from both the Göta älv and the sea.
A night to remember
Two of the participants were 12-year-old Ingrid Franzén and her father Jonas Franzén, who very much appreciated the experience on board:
"My twelve-year-old does not make much fuss and does not say much, but you can tell when she has really enjoyed something. We spent the whole bus journey home talking about sediments, boat colours, and how many Globe arenas we could have filled with the dredged material from the harbour." says Jonas Franzén.
He also described the evening as an important break during an otherwise intense time for his daughter:
"It is quite a hectic time with lots of national tests and talk about grades. That can be quite tough, even for a girl who is deeply curious and eager to learn. So it was really lovely to have an evening where you could pause and take in knowledge simply because it is fun and interesting. And not least to be reminded that all of that can also be an adventure – with whales, cosy cabins, and a “smoothie machine” in the galley," he says.
Upcoming expeditions with Skagerak
R/V Skagerak is now heading into a busy period, with university courses on board as well as longer expeditions to the Baltic Sea, Svalbard, Iceland and Greenland this summer.
Read more about the expeditions and the research that will take place on board on our website.
Text och bild: Agnes Faxén
