Access

News

Nature 442, 964 (31 August 2006) | doi:10.1038/442964b; Published online 30 August 2006

Cash-strapped research ship must earn its living

David Cyranoski

Top

High running costs threaten Chikyu's scientific agenda.

The Japanese ship Chikyu is the most sophisticated research vessel ever, and scientists are keen to start using it. But before it can begin probing seismic zones of the sea floor, a lack of funds means it must spend months looking for oil.