Crew members on the deck of Ocean Surveyor.
Photo: SGU.
Expertise and personnel
Ocean Surveyor is manned by experienced and competent sailors and instrument technicians who are permanently employed by SGU's own shipping company. In addition, the vessel is staffed with geologists, geophysicists, and environmental chemists to carry out various types of missions.
Our expertise and experience in marine surveying include, for example, seismic surveys for carbon dioxide storage, UHD seismics and sediment echo sounder measurements, hydrographic surveys of all classes, marine geological surveys, marine environmental chemistry investigations, habitat and substrate mapping, infauna surveys, eelgrass mapping, and seamless mapping from coast to shore zone. The staff's competence ranges from surveyors to academic qualifications, with several having doctoral and associate professor degrees in marine geology and biology.
Marine collaboration
Collaboration is key to successful marine research and environmental monitoring. SGU collaborates through several alliances and networks, both nationally and internationally. We promote cooperation, drive joint technology development, and work for the strategic use of the research fleet.
Our National and International Collaborations
- SON – Ship Operators Network
- SWERVE - Swedish Research Vessel Infrastructure for Marine Research
SON - Ship Operators Network
SON (Ship Operators Network) is a consortium where seven authorities and universities collaborate: SGU, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Swedish Polar Research Secretariat, University of Gothenburg, Stockholm University, Umeå University, and Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI).
By sharing expertise, resources, and equipment, the network optimises the use of the Swedish survey and research fleet.
SON includes the following Swedish research vessels:
- S/V Ocean Surveyor (SGU)
- R/V Svea (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU)
- I/B Oden (Swedish Polar Research Secretariat)
- R/V Skagerak (University of Gothenburg)
- R/V Electra af Askö (Stockholm University)
- KBV 181 (Umeå University)
SWERVE - Swedish Research Vessel Infrastructure for Marine Research
SGU is one of the participants in the SWERVE project, a new national infrastructure starting in 2024. SWERVE brings together Swedish infrastructure for research vessels and data management to improve the conditions for Swedish ship-based marine research and increase the opportunities for researchers to use the Swedish research vessels.
SWERVE's infrastructure is coordinated through a partnership between seven organisations: SGU, Stockholm University, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Umeå University, Swedish Polar Research Secretariat, University of Gothenburg, and SMHI. Together, these organisations have access to six advanced research vessels (Ocean Surveyor, Svea, Electra, KBV181, Oden, and Skagerak), as well as data management infrastructure and support via the National Oceanographic Data Center.
SWERVE has received infrastructure funding from the Swedish Research Council, amounting to SEK 14.5 million over three years. The project is co-financed by the participants, meaning the total project funding for SWERVE is SEK 29 million.
The funding will cover the cost of ship time for Swedish research, support the training and competence development of technical personnel on board to enable technical expert support, support the collection of essential marine data in a standardised manner, and ensure the delivery and availability of these data to the international research community.
The University of Gothenburg is the host organisation for SWERVE and is responsible for the management and delivery of the infrastructure.
Last reviewed 2025-02-03