The Interuniversity Institute of Eilat recently acquired a new research ship. The ship is fitted with advanced scientific equipment for oceanographic research, to be used by investigators from institutes of higher education, both from Israel and around the world.

The ship was built in Turkey and arrived in Israel for the installation of its systems and equipment. "The ship and its scientific equipment represent a giant leap to the boundaries of new scientific opportunities that will open up to the researchers" states Professor Aharon Kaplan, the Institutes Manager of Science, and he adds, that the Institute is continuosly raising money in order to sponsor educational activities for pupils from Eilat and suplementary courses for science teachers in Eilat.

The existence of coral reefs unique to the Gulf of Eilat, on the one hand, and the close proximity to the deep sea on the other, represent a substantial scientific challenge with many practical consequences. The availability of the ship bares witness that it and its equipment represent an advance in the abilities of the research of the Israeli investigators (researchers)  from all of the research institutions,  the  teaching, and scientists and others in this field, that are amongst the leading in research into the science of nature at the present time. The ships activities will be a major contribution to our understanding of the Gulf of Eilat and to the possible consequences of the water currents..

The ship and its equipment will contribute greatly to program the monitoring of the Gulf, supported by The Ministery for The Protection of the Enviroment and carried out in cooperation with fellow researchers from neighbouring countries.The ship was built with the support of The Ministery of Science, The Commitee for the Planning and Budgeting Council for Higher Education, The Hebrew University, The Weizmann Institute and private donations.