Marion Dufresne (1994)

History
NameMarion Dufresne
NamesakeMarc-Joseph Marion du Fresne
OwnerCMA CGM The French Line
OperatorInstitut polaire français Paul-Émile Victor (IPEV) for oceanography; Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF) for logistics
Port of registryLe Havre France
BuilderAteliers et chantiers du Havre
Launched23 June 1994
Commissioned12 May 1995
Identification
Nickname(s)Le Marduf
Statusin active service
General characteristics
Displacement4,900 tonnes (empty) 10,380 tonnes full load
Length120.50 m (395 ft 4 in)
Beam20.60 m (67 ft 7 in)
Draught6.95 m (22 ft 10 in)
Propulsion
  • Diesel electric
  • Two electric propulsion motors: 2,650 kW ea on two shafts
  • 750 kW (1,010 hp) bow thruster
  • Propulsion electric power: two 8-cylinder and one 6-cylinder diesel engines
Speed17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph) (max)
Endurance2 months
Capacity
  • 110 passengers capacity in 59 cabins
  • 2,500 t (2,800 short tons), 5,600 m3 (200,000 cu ft) or 1,106.1 m (3,629 ft) standard containers of cargo
  • 1,170 m3 (41,000 cu ft) of fuel
Complement
  • 6 officers
  • 22 sailors
Aircraft carriedHelicopter pad for one Eurocopter Dauphin, Eurocopter Écureuil, Aérospatiale Alouette II or Aérospatiale Alouette III
Notes[1]

Marion Dufresne is a research and supply vessel named in honour of the 18th-century French explorer Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne launched in 1995 and having two main missions: logistic support for the French Austral Islands and oceanographic research.[1]

The Marion Dufresne (IMO 9050814)[2] is chartered by the French TAAF on an annual basis from the French shipping line CMA CGM (The French Line) and is maintained by the IPEV (Institut polaire français – Paul-Émile Victor). The current Marion Dufresne is the replacement for the slightly smaller Marion Dufresne that served the TAAF from 1973 to 1995.[1]

The ship was constructed by Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre of Normandy, France and delivered on 12 May 1995; it is registered in Marseille but its base of operations is the island of La Réunion.[1]

The Marion Dufresne was designed for the very severe weather conditions of the Southern Ocean. She possesses exceptional seakeeping behavior – allowing full performance in the very rough seas found there.[3]

  1. ^ a b c d "Le Marion Dufresne-Presentation". IPEV-Institut Polair Français-Paul Emile Victor. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  2. ^ "IMO SHIP NUMBER DATABASE". International Maritime Organization.[permanent dead link‍]
  3. ^ "Le Marion Dufresne : Les missions du Marion Dufresne". IPEV-Institut Polair Français-Paul Emile Victor. Retrieved 18 June 2012.