New TRITON Research Vessel Gears up for Trace Element Investigation on the Great Barrier Reef

Four years ago TRITON created a new Science Division for seawater chemistry, located on the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns, Australia. Now, their brand new customized vessel “Calliste,” will allow for research into areas of Macro and Trace Elements based on unique coral habitats for the first time. The planned work will elevate the capabilities of TRITON’s Research Division on the GBR and is unique to the industry.

Planned projects will include studies into the heat resilience of coral, natural freshwater sources in the reef environment and their effects, observation of bleaching events, and coral spawning. For water chemistry, researchers will be able to study tidal change related to nutrient and nutritional fluctuations, food sources for corals, differing water chemistry effects on coral parasites, and seasonal variances on inshore reefs, with many other projects planned.

Ehsan Dashti and Julian Baggio at the TRITON GBR science division lab in Cairns, Australia.

Calliste

The state-of-the-art research vessel has been aptly named Calliste, by a TRITON customer. Calliste is the daughter of the Sea God Triton, so it’s a fitting title. Calliste was designed in Finland and custom-built in Europe. She is based on an Italian Racing Boat Hull and is equipped with two 225HP outboard motors, producing a top speed of 50knts to outrun any adverse weather conditions.

Calliste can accommodate up to seven researchers at any one time, with a waterproof drone designed to aid testing capabilities. The vessel has the ability to access a broad spectrum of habitats across the GBR, including the inshore reefs to the north and south of Cairns and the outer barrier reefs of the adjoining Coral Sea.

She can accommodate 4 adults comfortably overnight, allowing access to remote reefs and tidal/day-night change observations. Fold-down side wings allow for easy entry in and out of the water and the handling of equipment. It’s next-level research capability, and we can’t wait to bring you news of their findings.

Check out their YouTube channel and Instagram page for more news on Calliste.

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Jeremy Gay

Jeremy Gay is an author, editor, and lifelong fishkeeper, with over twenty five years in the marine aquatic sector. His experience includes retail, wholesale, publishing, distribution, marketing, manufacturing, and livestock import. He loves the biology of marine ecosystems as well as marine equipment and tech.