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The Ice-margin Research Vessel MARIA S. MERIAN |
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Data Management System Based on DSHIP
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The German shipyard company Krögerwerft contracted with Werum Software &
Systems to equip the new German research vessel MARIA S. MERIAN with the
data management system DSHIP. Within the scope of the contract Werum was also responsible for planning and implementing the onboard scientific network and mail system.
The MARIA S. MERIAN is the world's most modern multidisciplinary research vessel and entered into service in February 2006.
After the earlier installation of Werum systems on the three large German research vessels POLARSTERN, METEOR and SONNE, the installation of DSHIP on the MARIA S. MERIAN marks the first time that this system is in use onboard a medium-sized research vessel. This was made possible by the scalable and flexible design of the data management system.
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A model of the MARIA S. MERIAN
(Source: Krögerwerft)
Ice testing in the Baltic Sea Ostsee
(Source: K. v. Bröckel)
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| High Level of Configurability |
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DSHIP meets all particular requirements involved in scientific research cruises. As a highly configurable system DSHIP is capable of integrating instruments and sensors of any kind. All the user has to do is to enter a simple description of the device properties and communication protocols in a dialog. So it is possible to adjust the system to specific requirements without having to interrupt the monitoring of oceanographic, chemical or physical parameters. |
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| Unattended Operation |
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Due to its high level of reliability DSHIP is well-suited for largely unattended operation, which minimizes the workload for the ship's crew while the continuous and reliable real-time acquisition of all data is assured at the same time. The automatic monitoring of both the system and the connected peripheral equipment ensures that the system administrator is always aware of the technical status of the overall system and can, therefore, take any required measures at an early stage whenever an error occurs.
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| Data Archiving |
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The archiving component of the system guarantees the automated and reliable storage of valuable scientific data. Archive records, which are automatically created, are saved on archiving media, such as DVDs. When the vessel returns from a cruise or cruise leg, these records can be integrated into an additional land-based system, so that this data will then be available for further scientific use (for example on the Internet).
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| Network and Mail System |
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The scientific network onboard the MARIA S. MERIAN is based on fiber-optic technology and connects the scientific workstations, the scientific equipment and, through gateways, also selected navigational data to a single central server system. Apart from all scientific and cruise-relevant information, the crew members can also access the ship's intranet and mail system. Werum implemented the mail system based on its DAVIS-MAIL product for ship-to-shore communication by eMail. This system is able to prioritize eMail messages, to determine the registered users' whereabouts and to initialize the sending of large eMails on explicit user confirmation only. As there are some regions in the world where communication can only be established through special service providers, various communication links are available to set up Internet connections.
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| Deployment for marine Ice-margin Research |
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The research vessel MARIA S. MERIAN is based at the Baltic Sea Research Institute Warnemünde IOW (Institut für Ostseeforschung Warnemünde), from where it is deployed for marine research cruises. Thanks to its construction characteristics, the MARIA S. MERIAN is capable to cruise safely in ice-margin regions.
The Institute of Oceanography of the University of Hamburg acts as the operations control office of the ship. It is responsible for the scientific/technical, logistic and financial aspects involved in preparing, handling and supervising all ship operations.
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| Further Information |
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For more information on the ice-margin research vessel MARIA S. MERIAN visit:
 Institute of Oceanography, University of Hamburg
Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW)
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