Secretary of State for Science Policy, Elke Sleurs, has increased the maintenance budget for the oceanographic research vessel, RV Belgica. She has provided € 1,019,000 on top of the existing, recurrent annual increase (€ 550,000) in the RV Belgica's operating budget. This is a clear signal of just how important this research vessel is!
We can now continue to operate safely for the next 3 to 4 years, but the vessel's replacement is still a matter of urgency given that it will take more than 3 years to arrange for a new ship once the decision has been made!
