Some billionaires splash cash for personal pleasure and possessions-yachts, jets, watches, estates, you name it. But then some invest in deep scientific exploration that could someday benefit humanity. The billionaire American businessman and game developer, Gabe Newell, has commissioned the development of a $300 million deep-ocean research vessel, RV6000, through his marine science organization Inkfish.
Vard, a major international shipbuilding company, will be responsible for the ship’s construction, with a capacity large enough to house 70 scientists and crew who will be conducting multi-month expeditions.
What are the nitty-gritty details of the deep-sea exploration ship backed by Gabe Newell?
Last year, Seaonics announced it had signed a contract with Vard to deliver RV6000’s core mechanical systems. The company is a subsidiary within the Vard ecosystem and will provide cranes, winches, and launch systems for the vessel rather than sourcing this equipment from a third party.
RV6000’s handling systems are being engineered alongside the hull, enabling tighter integration of structure, power, and control from the outset. According to Luxury launches, the ship will comprise a large stern A-frame for deploying heavy subsea equipment, a scientific winch system to support CTD casts, coring, towed arrays, ultra-deep umbilicals, a dedicated Launch and Recovery System (LARS) for 6,000-meter-class ROVs, and a multi-purpose offshore crane rated for deep operations up to 2500 meters.
RV6000 is joining a research fleet alongside RV Hydra and RV Dagon, and will be central to Newell’s marine science ambitions.
The LARS manages the critical transition through the wave zone, where vessel motion can otherwise translate into damaging shock loads. Meanwhile, the offshore crane will manage the heavier subsea packages and equipment that support both robotic and potentially crewed missions.
The LARS and crane systems incorporate active heave compensation, stabilizing payloads as they pass through surface waves—critical for preventing shock loads during deep deployments. Moreover, reduced vibration and acoustic noise from electric systems also benefit sensitive sonar and mapping instruments, making RV6000 a quieter and more precise research platform.
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The research flagship commissioned by Newell is scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2028. It will be one of the most advanced privately funded research ships ever launched, working as a platform for serious scientific work rather than a luxury vanity vessel.
With its integrated robotics and deep-sea capabilities, RV6000 signals a shift toward privately backed deep-sea exploration aimed at expanding humanity’s understanding of the unexplored abyss.
Also read: Why Qatar’s Emir Built a $500M, 404-Foot Superyacht 3 Feet Shorter Than His Father’s
