My country:
My country:

Search

Close

The RV Prince Madog

The Prince Madog is a state-of-the-art, purpose-built research vessel commissioned by Bangor University using a £3.5 million Joint Infrastructure Fund grant. The vessel is managed and operated by O.S.Energy, delivered and in service since July 2001.

The Prince Madog enables the UK's marine scientists to study the biology, chemistry, geology and physics of our seas. Designed to take up to ten scientists and 20 students. The School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor and other university departments in the UK also use the vessel as a teaching platform, training the next generation of marine scientists.

Blue hulled ship with white superstructure
The Prince Madog conducted the multibeam surveys which revealed this and other wreck sites.
Prince Madog research vessel out at sea, with magical effect
aerial photo of the research ship Prince Madog at Menai Bridge pier
Research Vessel "Prince Madog" berthed at Menai Bridge pier outside the School of Ocean Sciences.
Credit:Bangor University
Boat on water
The Prince Madog in London
Stern of boat on the sea
On the sea with the Prince Madog research vessel
six people silhouetted against the bow of a ship with a low sun ahead.
Journey home at the end of the day.
work on board a ship at sea
Bringing the grab onboard during a teaching trip.

About Prince Madog

  • Build Number 3485
  • Gross Tonnes 390 tonnes
  • Length Overall 34.9m
  • Breadth Moulded 8.5m
  • Draft max 3.5m
  • Endurance 10 days between ports
  • Scientific Berths 10
  • Crew 8
  • Constructed Visser, 2001
  • Design Speed 10.5 knots
  • Actual Speed 12 knots
  • Propulsion 1080kW
  • Bow Thruster 150kW

See more about the Prince Madog on the O.S.Energy website.

  • Reson 7125 dual frequency (200 kHz and 400 kHz) SeaBat Multi-beam system.
  • Teledyne RD Instruments (RDI) Acoustic Doppler Current Profiling system 300 kHz
  • Simrad HPR-410P Hydroacoustic Positioning reference system
  • Simrad EK60 Scientific echosounder 120kHz and 38kHz split beam transducers
  • Underway sampling and meteorological package
  • Water purification system
  • Walker Marine Aquaprobe speedlog
  • Trimble DGPS 12 channel receiver
  • Scientific Fridge and Freezer
  • Seabird SBE 911plus CTD with SBE32 water sampler
  • CTD cable
  • 1000m Hydrographic winch

According to Welsh legend, Madog was one of the sons of Owain, Prince of Gwynedd (North Wales). On the death of his father in 1170, Madog is supposed to have set sail with a shipload of companions on a westward course. He is reputed to have reached America, left some of his party, returned to Wales for additional compatriots, and repeated the crossing of the Atlantic. As a result of this story the belief grew up that somewhere in North America there existed a tribe of white Indians who spoke perfect Welsh, produced supposedly by the inter-marriage of the original Welsh seafarers and indigenous inhabitants as in Patagonia today.

As for Madog himself, there is no historical proof of his existence. A medieval poem refers to Madog ab Owain Gwynedd as a sailor; and, quite probably, the Welsh Tudors used the story for propaganda purposes to challenge Spanish claims to the New World. Romantically, however, and particularly in view of the maritime traditions of North Wales, it is perhaps fitting that this research vessel should bear the name of Madog, the legendary marine explorer of an earlier age.

Telephone +44 (0)1248 382902
Satellite phone: 00870 323523411

Cruises

Other links

Where is the Prince Madog?

Follow the Prince Madog's adventures and see where Bangor University's research vessel is located at this moment in time.