RV Laura Bassi

Research vessel for marine exploration
National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics – OGS

The N / R Laura Bassi is today the only Italian ship capable of operating in polar seas.
It is a multipurpose polar 5 class research vessel, which combines a relevant scientific research capacity with a considerable potential for the transport of materials and people.

Named after the Italian scientist who in 1700 became the first woman in the world to obtain a university chair, Laura Bassi, the ship measures 80 meters in length with a tonnage of 4028 tons. Its staffing capacity is equal to 72 people, including 50 places for scientific personnel.

The ship is owned by the National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics (OGS) and is intended to operate both in Antarctica and in the Arctic. Its operational and scientific management is ensured by a Consortium which includes, in addition to OGS, also ENEA and CNR.

Laura Bassi (1711-1788)
Italian physicist and academic.
Doctoral degree in Philosophy from the University of Bologna in May 1732.
The first woman in the world to be appointed a university chair in a scientific field of studies.