Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Pelagia

The Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) bids farewell to its esteemed research ship, the 'Pelagia', which was officially decommissioned on October 16, 2025. The vessel completed its final expedition for NIOZ on October 8 and has contributed significantly to oceanographic research over the past 34 years. As the demands of modern science evolve, the 'Pelagia' has become increasingly insufficient for contemporary tasks including the deployment of underwater robots and precision maneuvering in the challenging environments of the melting polar regions. Now listed for sale, its retirement paves the way for an advanced successor currently under construction at Astilleros Armon shipyard in Vigo, Spain, set to debut in 2026. The new research vessel will feature sustainable methanol propulsion and will be ice-classified, enabling closer access to the ice edge—an essential area of study due to the ongoing impact of climate change on polar ice. A ceremonial naming for this state-of-the-art ship is scheduled for March 12, 2026.

On February 12, 2022, Salvamento Marítimo successfully rescued a group of 40 North African migrants from a small boat located 32 miles south of Gran Canaria. The operation commenced around 10:30 p.m. when the MRCC in Las Palmas received a distress signal from the research vessel 'Pelagia.' The attentive crew of the 'Pelagia' noticed light signals from the distressed boat and promptly informed the authorities. Following the alert, they were instructed to maintain visual contact with the boat while ensuring it was kept at a safe distance. The 'Guardamar Concepción Arenal' was swiftly dispatched to the scene and arrived around 01:00 a.m. on February 13. The search and rescue vessel successfully onboarded all 40 men and set course for Arguineguín Pier, reaching there by approximately 03:00 a.m. This operation highlights the ongoing efforts to address migrant safety in maritime regions.

A fire incident occurred in the engine room of the fishing vessel 'Pelagia' on March 30, 2016, around noon. At the time of the outbreak, 'Pelagia' was undergoing maintenance in a repair yard in Oudeschild, where it had been dry docked since March 7. Fortunately, the fire was quickly controlled, preventing further damage. For visual details, Dutch news outlet Texelse Courant covered the event, providing a photo report at the following link: http://www.texelsecourant.nl/lees/24008/brand-in-machinekamer-van-pelagia-.