Pelagia

The Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) has decommissioned the 'Pelagia' on Oct 16, 2025. The ship returned from an expedition for NIOZ for the last time on Oct 8 and is due for replacement after 34 years of oceanographic research. The ship has become inadequate for modern requirements such as underwater robots, precision maneuvers, and research in melting polar region and has now been put up for sale. It will be replaced by a new research vessel, which is currently under construction at the Spanish shipyard Astilleros Armon in Vigo, in 2026. The new sustainable vessel can run on methanol and will be ice-classified, allowing for research closer to the ice edge, which is necessary due to the rapidly melting ice caps. It is tol be named on March 12, 2026.

Salvamento Marítimo has rescued a small boat with a total of 40 North African migrants 32 miles south of the island of Gran Canaria on Feb 12, 2022. At around 10:30 p.m. the MRCC in Las Palmas was notified by the 'Pelagia' after its crew had seen some light signals. The research ship was asked to keep the boat in sight and at a safe distance while the 'Guardamar Concepción Arenal' headed to the area. On Feb 13 at around 01:00 a.m., the SAR boat took on board the 40 men and headed for the Arguineguín Pier, where they arrived around 03:00 a.m.

On Mar 30, 2016, around midday a fire broke out in the engine room of the "Pelagia" which is being dry docked in Oudeschild since Mar 7 for maintenance. The fire could soon be brought under control. Dutch report with photo: http://www.texelsecourant.nl/lees/24008/brand-in-machinekamer-van-pelagia-