View source for Ninfe-class research vessel

{|{{Infobox ship begin|sclass=2}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=Galatea (A 5308) 05.JPG
|Ship caption=''Galatea'' at the [[Port of Livorno]], 2013
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
|Name=Ninfe class
|Builders=[[Intermarine]], [[Sarzana]] ([[La Spezia]])
|Operators={{navy|ITA}}
|Class before=''Mirto'' and ''Pioppo''
|Class after=
|Subclasses=
|Cost=
|Built range=
|In service range=
|In commission range=2002
|Total ships building=
|Total ships planned=2
|Total ships completed=2
|Total ships cancelled=
|Total ships active=2
|Total ships laid up=
|Total ships lost=
|Total ships retired=
|Total ships preserved=
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship class=
|Ship type=[[Survey vessel]]
|Ship tonnage=
|Ship displacement={{convert|415|t|LT|abbr=on|lk=in}} full load
|Ship length={{convert|39.21|m|ftin|abbr=on}} [[length overall|LOA]]
|Ship beam={{convert|12.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship height=
|Ship draught={{convert|2.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship draft=
|Ship power=
|Ship propulsion=*- 2 x [[diesel engine]]s [[Isotta Fraschini]] V1708-T2-ME ({{convert|1396|kW|abbr=on}} each) with ABB/Marelli generator
*- 2 x [[diesel engine]] [[Iveco|AIFO]] GE8210M22, for harbour duties
*- 2 x Schottel STP-300 azimuthal propellers
*- 2 Schottel bow thrusters<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.intermarine.it/en/products/defence/hydro-oceanographic/the-ninfe-class |title=The Ninfe Class |website=Intermarine.it |date= |accessdate=2016-11-21}}</ref>
|Ship speed={{convert|13|kn}}
|Ship range={{cvt|1,700|nmi|lk=in}} at {{convert|13|kn}}
|Ship endurance=
|Ship complement=31
|Ship sensors=2 x navigation radar GEM Elettronica SPN-753
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=
|Ship armour=
|Ship aircraft=
|Ship aircraft facilities=
|Ship notes=
}}
|}

The '''Ninfe class''' of [[survey vessel]]s <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marina.difesa.it/uominimezzi/navi/Pagine/Idrografichecostiere.aspx |title=Idrografiche costiere – Marina Militare |website=Marina.difesa.it |date= |accessdate=2016-11-21}}</ref> consists of two [[catamaran]] hulls operated by the [[Italian Navy|Marina Militare Italiana]].

== Features ==
They was designed to carry out hydro-oceanographic surveys at high sea and in harbours and shallow waters, in order to guarantee the production and updating of nautical charts.<br />
Main activities:<br /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marina.difesa.it/conosciamoci/organizzazione/comandienti/scientifici/idrografico/cosafacciamo/Pagine/NaveAretusa_eng.aspx |title=Aretusa – Marina Militare |website=Marina.difesa.it |date= |accessdate=2016-11-21}}</ref>
* sounding
* minimum depth
* topography of shorelines and port facilities
* seabed features
* collection of nautical and geographical data for the updating of nautical documentation
* detection of sunken vessels or dangerous underwater obstacles
The collected data are then processed by means of dedicated software programs and then used to produce:
* paper and electronic nautical charts for the safety of navigation
* Additional Military Layers
* nautical, scientific and technical documentation for mariners
* oceanographic databases for scientific purposes

== Characteristics ==

It is fitted with:
* multi-beam echo sounder [[Kongsberg Maritime|Simrad]] EM300 (30&nbsp;kHz)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marinelink.com/news/multibeam-installs324017 |title=Navy Installs New Multibeam Echo Sounders |website=Marinelink.com |date=2003-12-18 |accessdate=2016-11-21}}</ref>
* single-beam echo sounder [[Kongsberg Maritime|Simrad]] EA500 (12, 120 e 200&nbsp;kHz)
* single-beam echo sounder Atlas Deso 25 (33, 100 e 210&nbsp;kHz)
* Side Scan Sonar towed [[Kongsberg Maritime|Simrad]] MS992
* differential and RTK satellite positioning systems
* Sippican XBT MK21 bathythermograph system
* CTD profiler with rosette system Ocean Seven 316 used for water sampling at different depths
* Van Veen buckets
* Sindel weather station
The ship is equipped one survey motor-boat for coastal and shallow water surveys fitted with:
* single beam [[Kongsberg Maritime|Simrad]] EA400 (38 e 200&nbsp;kHz)
* multi-beam echo sounders [[Kongsberg Maritime|Simrad]] EM3000 (300&nbsp;kHz)

== Ships ==
{| border="1" class="sortable wikitable" style="margin:1em auto;"
!colspan="11" style="background:#ffdead;" | {{navy|ITA}} - Ninfe class
|-
! Name
! [[Pennant number]]
! Laid down
! Launched
! Commissioned
! Motto
|- style="text-align:center;"
|| {{ship|Italian survey vessel|Aretusa|A 5304|2}}
|| A 5304
||
|| 9 May 2000
|| 10 January 2002
|| ''Arethusa undis prospicit''
|- style="text-align:center;"
|| ''[[Italian ship Galatea|Galatea]]''
|| A 5308
||
|| 7 June 2000
|| 10 January 2002
|| ''Felix Galatea vivas''
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Galatea (A 5308)}}
* [https://www.marina.difesa.it/noi-siamo-la-marina/mezzi/forze-navali/Pagine/Aretusa.aspx Aretusa (A 5304)] Marina Militare website
* [https://www.marina.difesa.it/noi-siamo-la-marina/mezzi/forze-navali/Pagine/Galatea.aspx Galatea (A 5308)] Marina Militare website

{{Portal bar|Italy|Engineering}}

{{Ship classes of the Marina Militare|noshipclass=yes}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ninfe class research vessel}}
[[Category:Auxiliary ships of the Italian Navy]]
[[Category:Ships built in La Spezia]]
[[Category:Survey ships]]
[[Category:Auxiliary research ship classes]]