Building Song of the Whale

Song of the Whale is a unique purpose built research vessel, designed by British marine architect Simon Rogers. The ship’s steel hull was built by Riverside Fabrications in Falmouth, Cornwall and the build was managed and completed by Blondecel, Southampton, UK. Song of the Whale skipper, Richard McLanaghan managed the project for IFAW and the ship is owned and operated by IFAW’s Charitable Trust.

Leading Edge Design Features
Unique features have been built into the new Song of the Whale to enhance research functions and increase seafaring capabilities:

For Research and Communication Advances...

Outriggers mounted to each side of the deck to tow hydrophone arrays and deploy large pieces of equipment such as pop-up buoys.
Aluminum A-frame providing an eye height of five meters for long-range spotting and video range tracking of whales.
Computer/communications room for acoustic detection and data logging systems. Data and digital images can be processed and transmitted directly to the Internet, school groups or the media.
Protected computer hookup in the cockpit for data logging.
Lazarette area housing a workshop and wet lab facilities.

For Safety of Humans and Cetaceans....

Structure approved in accordance with Lloyds Register of Shipping Rules for Special Service Craft Class: 100A1 SSC Workboat Mono G5, the highest rating possible and fit for operation in any ocean.
Fit-out of the vessel in accordance with the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) code for the Safety of Small Commercial Sailing Vessels and Workboats enabling groups of children to be taken out for floating classrooms.
Steel hull for strength, durability, ease of repair and safe travel in icy waters.
A five-bladed propeller to minimize noise disturbance to whales and reduce hydrophone interference. The propeller will have a guard to reduce the risk of injury to marine life and set an example to other vessels.
Twin helms, each with engine controls, to allow a clear view from both sides when maneuvering in close quarters.

For Improved Operating Efficiency...

Radar and satellite antennas mounted on top of the A-Frame.
Stowage on the foredeck for a 4.2m Zodiac tender for use in whale disentanglements.
Double the cruising speed and three times the range of the current boat.