Plymouth Quest Hire and Specifications

The RV Plymouth Quest, based at Sutton Harbour, Plymouth, UK, is available for hire for research activities and testing projects. Our bespoke packages are tailored to meet the needs of commercial customers and can include the hire of our expert crew and leading marine scientists. Please contact our research vessel representative and marine licensing expert, Sam Fawcett, at facilityhire@pml.ac.uk or telephone, +44 (0)1752 633 412 for further information and to discuss your business’s needs.

For more information about the RV Plymouth Quest, please see our breakdown of her facilities or download the RV Plymouth Quest Specification Sheet for all the information you need if you are looking for science boat hire.

Technical Specifications:

• MCA (Marine and Coastguard Agency) Category 2 Workboat (able to navigate up to 60 miles from a safe haven)
• Length (LOA): 21.5m
• Beam OA: 6.4m
• Draft: 3.02m (fully loaded)
• Max. Persons Onboard: 15 (12 passengers)
• Max Speed: 10 knots

RV Plymouth Quest

The Plymouth Quest returned from refit in May 2025 after undergoing extensive maintenance and modernisation. With new features available on this already advanced research vessel, she is now future-proofed with new technology and more comfortable staff quarters.

Vessel Equipment:

• Bow Thruster
• 2 5T Trawl Winches
• 1 x 3 T Sweep Line Winch
• Net Drum on Stern
• Hydraulic Stern Gate
• Hydraulic Crane (4.8T @2.6m -1T @11m)
• Anchor Windlass
• Internet Access (Mobile broadband up to 20nm offshore)
• Runs on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) Diesel
• Modern Navigation Aids
• Maxsea Navigation System
• Bridge Controlled Winches
• Emergency Steering Position

In particular, the addition of the bow thruster enables precision work along the coast or in difficult conditions, allowing our scientists to focus on carrying out testing. It also allows the crew to control the vessel without using the engine. Eliminating this extra diesel consumption not only reduces emissions but also minimises disturbance to the marine environment.

RV Plymouth Quest Control Panel, Including Controls For The Bow Thruster

Scientific Equipment:

• Dedicated scientific water supply with stainless steel hull intake
• Underway measurement system for temperature, salinity, oxygen, turbidity, light, PAR, and meteorology
• CO2 measurement system (air & seawater)
• Seabird Electronics 32 Carousel with 12 x 10L bottles
• Real-time data logging and display via ship-wide network
• Dedicated scientific systems
• 2 x 3000L seawater tanks
• Storage space for equipment

RV Plymouth Quest, Technical Equipment

While this is the current scientific equipment onboard the Plymouth Quest, there is scope for adding other types of equipment and trialling new testing technologies on this oceanographic research vessel. At PML, we have specialised groups across a range of marine science sectors who are available to contribute to the planning and testing of your research, if required. We are innovators and have paved the way for new frameworks and methodologies, so please get in touch to set up a meeting about your project.

Facilities for Crew:

• 6 Berth (3 Cabins)
• Toilet Room
• Shower Room
• Galley with newly fitted kitchen units
• Mess area with dedicated office space

Whether you are looking for day vessel hire in Plymouth or require a multiple-day voyage, Plymouth Quest has the equipment and facilities to support a crew in comfortable conditions, enabling you to stay focused during your research project.

Hire the Plymouth Quest to conduct your own research

You can hire our vessel to carry out your own research. Please note, the Plymouth Quest is specifically available for both scientific vessel hire and marine deployments; our team will be happy to discuss your requirements with you.

RV Plymouth Quest

Meet the Crew

Crewing research vessels is a skilled and vital role in the management of a research ship. Not only do our crew have a background in working at sea, but they also provide vital support to our research projects. The crew assists in preparing equipment and managing the vessel to help scientists carry out their studies.

Our crew is part of PML, the charity side of our group, and includes marine engineers, skippers and crewmembers who specialise in supporting scientific studies.
Currently, the team members in Marine Services at PML are:

• Marine Engineer – Tristan Jaycock
• Engineer – Andrew Pawley
• Manager / Skipper – Andrew Perkin
• Safety Advisor / Crewmember – Georgina Ramm
• Skipper / Mate – Gary Stevens

Consult with PML Applications to commission us to carry out your research and trials on the Plymouth Quest

With access to the PML Applications team of expert staff and our wider network of scientists at PML (Plymouth Marine Laboratory), there are opportunities to collaborate on research projects, bringing you cutting-edge scientific practices and covering a wide range of topical marine research, including onboard our research ship. As an organisation, we have influenced policy, created industry frameworks and solidified a reputation as a renowned centre for marine science.

Owned by Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), the Plymouth Quest is part of the ongoing scientific research at this world-class research laboratory. PML Applications is the commercial branch of the PML Group and accesses the Plymouth Quest for both our own research projects and to hire out to clients. With an expert crew and access to leading marine scientists, our team can advise and carry out tests for your project for vessel hire, Plymouth.

Quest is currently available for:

• Day Boat Hire Plymouth
• Multiple Day Boat Hire Plymouth
• Ongoing Scientific Research Projects Plymouth

Some of the sectors we have worked in include biocorrosion, water quality monitoring, eDNA sampling, and autonomous vessels. We enjoy new challenges and have a proven track record of developing new processes to support innovative research methods.

Plymouth is a world-leading area for ocean research vessels due to its long-standing history in marine research, including the longest time-series dataset – the Western Channel Observatory (a key part of PML’s scientific studies and research).

If you are looking for vessel charter, Plymouth and are interested in hiring the Plymouth Quest or starting a discussion about your project needs, contact PML Applications at facilityhire@pml.ac.uk or telephone, +44 (0)1752 633 412 for more information about capabilities, scheduling and costs.