For some time now there has been a very informative portal for the use of research vessels for scientific purposes. Here the current locations of the ships can be tracked, the contact data for the respective contact persons are given and application forms can be retrieved.

German Reserach Vessels Portal

Further information you will find here and in the Polarstern-Wiki.

If you have any questions, please contact: schiffskoord(at)awi.de.