New flagship for the high seas

Construction work on the new Sonne started in April 2013. The first research trip for the ship, which cost 124 million euros ($155 million) to build, is planned for 2015. After almost four decades on the high seas, the older Sonne's retirement time has come.

The ship's launch occurred about one year after construction began. Even German Chancellor Angela Merkel showed up for its inauguration. The Sonne is the most advanced research ship in the world, the German government says. It's about the size of a small cruise ship, and can reach maximum speeds of 15 knots, or 28 kilometers per hour.

Visible here is the old Sonne. After working the oceans as a fishing trawler for its first eight years, it was converted into a research ship. Early on, the new Sonne had been conceived of as a research vessel - and was designed accordingly. The developers paid particular attention to eco-friendliness and energy efficiency.

The new Sonne has emits no vibration or air bubbles while in operation, which could interfere with sonar studies. Also, this deepwater drill - which is unique in the world - is one more of many high-tech tools Sonne is equipped with. It weighs 10 tons and remote-controlled operation can work in depths of up to 2,700 meters (8,860 feet).

The new research ship also offers more space: there is room for 35 crew members and 40 scientists onboard. Facilities also include laboratories, large refrigerators and long winches. The scientists want to measure the farthest reaches of the sea for the first time.

The new Sonne will go into service on Monday (11.17.2014). It will first probe the deep seas of the Indian and Pacific oceans - researchers hope to investigate how these oceans influence the climate. In addition, they'll examine natural resources from the sea, and human impacts on ecosystems. Click the link on the upper right for an impression of such a trip.