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The rain did not stop the inauguration of the RV Azores Ocean, a new scientific research vessel that will strengthen the Azores’ capacity to study, monitor and understand the ocean, with a particular focus on deep-sea ecosystems.

The inauguration ceremony began with the Change of Command Ceremony, followed by the presentation of the new vessel and an address by its godmother, oceanographer and explorer Dr. Sylvia Earle. The programme also included an address by the President of the Government of the Azores, culminating in the christening ceremony and a tour of the vessel.

With the capacity to operate at depths of up to 3000 metres, the RV Azores Ocean is equipped to investigate different zones of the water column, from mesopelagic ecosystems (200–1000 m) to bathypelagic ecosystems (1000–3000 m).

The ability to collect and process data in real time, through omni-sensing systems, makes it possible to monitor different parameters of the marine environment during scientific operations and obtain an integrated view of the ecosystems being studied.

The entry into operation of the RV Azores Ocean represents a new resource for scientific research in the Atlantic and for advancing knowledge of the deep-sea ecosystems surrounding the archipelago.

In a territory whose identity and activities are deeply connected to the ocean, strengthening deep-sea observation and monitoring capabilities contributes to generating knowledge that is essential for science, conservation and the sustainable management of marine resources.

The inauguration of the RV Azores Ocean thus marks the beginning of a new chapter in the scientific exploration of the depths of the Atlantic.