“Meteor” – the German research vessel

“Meteor” is a multi-purpose research vessel for German deep-sea research, often in collaboration with other countries in the region. It is owned by the University of Hamburg. “Meteor” is the third German research vessel of this name, built in 1985/86 at the Schlichting” shipyard in Travemünde, construction number 2030. The keel was laid on 13 March 1985, launched on 3 September 1985. The vessel was completed in February 1986 and commissioned on 15 March 1986. It provides basic research facilities for scientists from German state universities and other research institutions as well, as the federal government and is continuously being modernized. The vessel is owned by the Federal Republic of Germany, represented by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), which covered the construction costs. The operating costs (including equipment, repairs and permanent staff) are covered according to use: 70 percent by the German Research Foundation (DFG) as the research support body, 30 percent by the BMBF. The planning and coordination of the scientific voyages is carried out by the Senate Oceanographic Commission, which acts as the planning and support body for the DFG's marine research activities. The scientific, technical, logistical and financial preparation, execution and support of the vessel's operations are managed by the “Meteor”/ “Merian” Control Centre at the Institute of Marine Sciences of the University of Hamburg. Until the end of 2012, the ship management services were provided by the shipping company “F. Laeisz” (Bremerhaven). In 2013, the ship management tender was won by the company “Briese Schiffahrt”, based in Leer. The “Meteor” is used worldwide for research in the fields of marine geology, oceanography, marine biology, marine chemistry and ecology. The “Meteor” has accommodation for 32 crew members, 28 scientists and two employees of the German Meteorological Service (DWD), who are responsible for the on-board meteorological station. A meteorological radio technician is constantly on board, and the services of a meteorologist can be used, if necessary. Thirteen double and two single cabins are intended for scientists, and two more single cabins for employees of the German Meteorological Service. The ship can be at sea continuously for 45-50 days, covering 10,000 nautical miles.

A large, colorful, well-designed and quite richly detailed model for medium-experienced and experienced modelers. There is also the possibility of assembling a version without an underwater part. The textual instruction in German is not a big, the graphic one is also small, but both will be of great use in the gluing process of the model. There are no reserves of colors and textures.