Applications of Dana V

Oceanography (physical, chemical and biological)
Oceanography covers a wide range of topics, including ocean currents, waves and fluid dynamics, water and energy exchange, properties of water, transport of chemical substances within the ocean and across its boundaries as well as studies on marine life from cells to dynamics of ecosystems. 

Oceanography can be divided into physical, chemical and biological oceanography. There is a high degree of interdisciplinarity and strong reliance on observation technology and sensors. Research vessels like Dana V play a fundamental role as a research platform, enabling multidisciplinary expeditions with advanced sensor and sampling systems, laboratories and controlled experimental facilities that are capable of addressing all these marine science disciplines in an internationally coordinated fashion.

Biodiversity 
Oceanography is the foundation which supports and feeds into other marine research disciplines. These include investigating marine biodiversity and its development under climate change and human pressure, a central contribution to the UN’s Agenda 2030, the Decade of the Ocean 2021-2030, and the Treaty on Marine Biodiversity beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). 

Ocean-climate interactions
Weather and weather patterns across the globe are the product of the earth’s climate system, with the oceans being a dominant driver. Besides storing a large percentage of heat content on earth, it acts as a sink for CO₂ through carbon sequestering, i.e. remineralization of carbon and retaining CO₂ deep ocean bottom water. Research integrates the disciplines of oceanography, paleoceanography and meteorology and often relies on observational data from remote regions, such as the central Atlantic and Arctic acquired from ship expeditions.

Marine environment 
Environmental studies in European waters are performed for the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries in accordance with the EU Environmental Strategy Directives like the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Habitats Directive (and its related Natura 2000 network), as well as contributions to the Regional Sea Conventions OSPAR and HELCOM. In the Arctic, contributions are delivered to different expert groups of the Arctic Council.

Living resources 
Fisheries research in the North Atlantic is coordinated by ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea). In the North East Atlantic it is based on internationally coordinated research and monitoring surveys conducted with substantial support from the EU Commission. Information and data are collected internationally and evaluated by ICES expert groups and results submitted and reviewed by the EU Commission and by NEAFC (North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission) for the entire North East Atlantic reaching as well into the Arctic.

Marine geology 
Marine geology covers a wide range of disciplines spanning plate tectonics, sea floor spreading to mapping of the seabed sediments, from looking at the seabed surface in relation to biologically relevant substrates to prospecting extractable raw marine resources. In the framework of the Realm, seabed mapping in Atlantic and Arctic waters is of increasing geopolitical significance and also a necessity for safety of commercial operations and local communities, especially in Greenland.

Research is carried out across the waters of the Realm and contributes to the International Ocean Drilling Program (IODP). In the Danish waters, focus has primarily been on mapping in relation to raw materials extraction and habitat mapping in designated Natura 2000 areas while, in the North Atlantic and Arctic, focus is more on tectonics and paleoclimate.

Maritime technologies
Contribution to all research areas above require advanced maritime technologies including observation and sampling systems, data handling and analyses techniques. All management related national measures rely on them (such as maritime spatial planning including nature restauration, implementation of EU environmental directives and implementation of IMO conventions).

Furthermore, development and test of green technologies are required to document and minimize the environmental impact of maritime human activities, shipping, establishing of infrastructure, energy production, discharge of chemical and biological pollution, also land- and airborne. Dana V is equipped to contribute to the necessary technology development and act as a test platform for new maritime technology.

Dana V is a prerequisite for DTU's task performance for the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Ministry of the Environment in relation to monitoring, surveillance and advice in connection with:

• Marine living resources—production and distribution in time and space.
• Marine environment as a habitat—their importance and sensitivity against disturbance.
• Impact of climate change on marine ecosystems and their biodiversity.
• The ocean's buffering effect on climate change.
• Surveying bathymetry—bottom topography.
• Geological mapping—seabed structure and geological resource exploration.

Activities are performed in European and North Atlantic waters for EU and Danish ministries as national obligations in accordance with the EU Data Collection Regulation, and data are used for research and research-based advice.

DTU and Denmark create with Dana V a platform for educating, training and lifelong learning of marine and maritime engineers, scientists, technicians and more:

• Education and training are conducted in all relevant research, monitoring and technology development areas.
• Green solutions can be studied, measured and tested while sailing under varying conditions.
• Topics can include optimization of research infrastructure and observation technology, optimization of ship operation, life cycle analyses, and reduction of environmental impacts.

Dana V will be equipped with:

• a teaching laboratory, conference facilities and a library.
• separate network and satellite communication for students.
• a digital twin allowing education under operation also in land-based courses.

The complex shipbuilding project will also be used for educational purposes. Each semester, a team of maritime engineering students are invited to visit the construction site under operation, and maritime interns are involved in design, construction and setting the vessel into operation.

Dana V will be a platform for testing new green ship solutions and the latest observation technology, e.g. in collaboration with Maritime DTU and the maritime industry:

• Dana V is suitable for various innovation activities due to its technical and electronic equipment, varied deployment and sailing pattern, sailing in several types of waters and ice, and relatively often short voyages.
• Dana V is equipped with a 40 sqm test platform built into the engine room with space for testing technology and access to set up test procedures.
• Dana V is quiet and relatively vibration-free, and contains engine control panel for easy access to data etc.
• Dana V has a flexible deck for experimental and test containers.
• Dana V is equipped with a state-of-the-art hydroacoustic sensor package and an integrated data acquisition and handling system, a drop keel for easy and safe equipment deployment, a keel area with reduced air bobble sweep down for hydroacoustic transmitter deployment and different winch systems for launching hydroacoustic and other observation and sampling equipment.
• Dana V will be equipped for testing and developing animal welfare friendly fish handling technology and processes

As a quiet ship with a hull optimized for silent-R/ICES 209 in polar class 6, Dana V is tailored for tasks in the North Atlantic and the Arctic:

• Strengthened marine research and knowledge building in the Arctic
  Climate and ocean interactions, physical and chemical oceanography, ecosystems, biodiversity, marine environment, fisheries, geology and bathymetric mapping.

• Platform for cooperation in the Realm
  Advanced hydroacoustic tasks in ice-filled waters, including investigating marine living resources, geological exploration and environmental monitoring.

• Civil presence and contribution to the Armed Forces' civilian tasks
  Search and rescue service, logistics, bathymetry surveying, and surveillance.