The RV MTA Sismik 1 is a decommissioned Turkish research vessel belonging to Istanbul Technical University. She is operated by its Faculty of Maritime for training purposes.[1] [2] Originally, she was owned by the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA) in Ankara and operated by its division of Geophysical Directorate for subsea geophysical exploration.[3]
The ship's crew consists of 7 officers and 16 seamen. Research work is conducted by 12 scientists aboard. She has an autonomous endurance of 25 days.[4]
The ship was built by Danziger Werft in Danzig for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine. Named Ägir, she was launched on May 18, 1942. After World War II, she was taken by the United Kingdom to England, where she was rebuilt as a salvage tug, and renamed Hercules in 1949. She was based in Gibraltar from 1950 until 1954 when she was sold to Turkey.[5] [6]
Her Turkish owner, the Denizcilik Bankası renamed her Hora and used as a salvage tug in service four year long from 1954 in Istanbul, and for ten years in İzmir. In 1968, she was acquired by the Port Authority of Izmir to be used as a stationary pilot boat.[5] [6]
In 1975, MTA purchased the ship Hora to transform her into a research vessel, and renamed her MTA Sismik 1. After fitting her with up to date technology equipment for subsea geophysical exploration at seas around Turkey, she was commissioned in 1976.[7] [6]
Finally in 2005, it was decided that the more-than-60-year-old ship has completed her service life. She was donated to Istanbul Technical University's Faculty of Maritime to be used as a training ship.[1]
MTA Sismik 1 is 56.45m (185.2feet) long, with a beam of 8.8m (28.9feet) and a max. draft of 3.9m (12.8feet). Assessed at and 275 NT, the ship is propelled by a 1050hp diesel engine. She has a speed of 12kn in service.[3]