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Inside Australia’s remarkable icebreaker RSV Nuyina 
Words: Linda SmithProducer: Simone Kealy
Hailed as the Swiss Army knife of boats, Australia's 25,000 tonne RSV Nuyina is the main lifeline to Australia’s Antarctic and sub-Antarctic research stations.
But it’s what’s inside the $529m research vessel that’s most impressive, with Australian Antarctic Division director Kim Ellis hailing it “the most powerful research ship in the ocean’’.
Along with a moon pool, giving direct access to the water, there are wet wells to collect specimens like krill, and drop keels with sensors to measure things like salinity and water temperature.
Capable of breaking 1.65m of ice at a continuous speed of three knots, Nuyina carries amphibious vehicles and helicopters with a greater range in Antarctica than ever before.
Boats are a mainstay of Antarctic exploration, delivering essentials. Nuyina will ensure supply is not interrupted. It can carry 1200 tonnes of cargo and 1.9 million litres of fuel in a single voyage.
That's enough to resupply two of Australia’s four Antarctic and sub-Antarctic stations in a trip.But it's what it means for science that has researchers most excited.
Nicole Webster, the Australian Antarctic Division’s chief scientist said the vessel meant they "were going to be able to do science that we haven’t ever been able to do before".
With it's state-of-the art facilities, Nuyina's multi-purpose labs can also be configured in a variety of ways depending on the research carried out over the next 30 years.
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Nicole Webster, Australian Antarctic Division’s chief scientist
The environment is facing some very real and very large challenges as we move forward in this time of climate change. And many of the challenges ..   like ocean warming and acidification – are the same challenges in Antarctica that we need answers and solutions for. 
As big and complicated as any of the navy warship, planning for RSV Nuyina began 10 years ago.
Built in Romania, the ship faced multiple delays due to Covid outbreaks and could have been delayed far longer if a bold decision wasn't made to tow itto the Netherlands.
Special permission was sought to move the vessel and declare it seaworthy, as it couldn't operate under its own power. The gamble paid off, and the completed vessel made it to Tasmania
Nuyina, which means ‘‘southern lights’’ in Tasmanian Aboriginal language palawa kani, will spend the coming seasons being put through its paces before moving to full capacity in 2023-2024.
Photo credits: Pete Harmsen, Toni Hutchison,  Greg Stone/Australian Antarctic Division																																								

Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/web-stories/free/the-mercury-hobart/inside-australias-remarkable-new-antarctica-icebreaker-rsv-nuyina