厦门大学海洋科学考察船（嘉庚号）的功能定位为支持交叉学科研究的现代无限航区海洋科学综合考察船。该船总长77.7米，型宽16.24米，满载吃水5.2米，总吨约3517，经济航速11节，最大航速14节，续航力约10000海里，自持力50天。

嘉庚号能够承担多学科海上综合考察任务，在所有无冰洋区开展海洋科学研究、教学实习和工程作业；属全电力推进船，在进行海洋观测时动力定位精度高，设备收放、操控能力突出；配备高性能声学设备，可开展水文、化学、生物、地质地球物理、大气和相关交叉学科的实时、同步观测和现场科学实验研究，支持远程信息高速传输。整体体现为节能、洁净静噪、灵活、多用途、先进、可靠、高效等特色。

嘉庚号将是一艘由国外负责概念设计和初步设计、国内通过消化吸收及转化进行详细设计、并由国内船厂建造的海洋科学考察船。她由美国Glosten联合公司（The Glosten Associates Inc.）主持概念设计和初步设计工作，由中国船舶工业集团第七〇八研究所（MARIC）负责详细设计，项目建造单位为广州广船国际股份有限公司。 

2016年5月8日，科考船下水暨命名仪式在广州广船国际有限公司举行（新闻链接）。

有关嘉庚号的更多信息请访问科考船网站。

Xiamen University is building an advanced general-purpose research vessel equipped with state-of-the-art scientific instruments. The main function is to undertake comprehensive marine environmental and resource investigation not only in the marginal seas, but also in the Exclusive Economic Zone and deep-sea ocean. It can carry on marine environmental research and teaching in all areas of the ice-free ocean.

The concept and preliminary design was completed by Glosten Associates, and the detailed design was carried out by MARIC of CSSC. Construction of the vessel will be completed by Guangzhou Shipyard International Company Limited. The launching ceremony and naming ceremony of the vessel took place in Guangzhou on May 8^th, 2016. The vessel is named “R/V Tan Kah Kee” after the founder of Xiamen University.

Vessel Specifications:

Overall length (Loa): 77.7m	Beam (B): 16.24 m
Draft (T): 5.2m	Fully loaded displacement (SOL): ~3600 tons
Cruise speed (Ve): 11 knots	Maximum speed (Vmax): 14 knots
Range (when at Ve): 10000 nautical miles	Endurance: 50 days