Dr Felix Pedrotti, a maritime archaeologist at the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute (SMMI), has created a virtual schematic of the historic RRS Discovery, famous for its use in the 19^th century British National Antarctic Expedition in the Southern Ocean and its wider role in the advancement of polar science.

The “digital twin” aims to provide engineers with valuable surveying data to help restore the ship’s damaged stern, bow, and lower hull, which are currently being stored at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton. Felix explains:

“With the rise of new technologies, such as laser scanners and UAVs, we can now create highly accurate digital twins. These digital replicas offer invaluable insights into the RRS Discovery, including its structures and layouts.”

The digital twin has already proven useful to researchers at the SMMI, who have used it to recreate the performance of the RRS Discovery through a scaled-down replica. Supported by the Higher Education and Innovation Fund (HEIF), the project made use of the University of Southampton’s world-class research facilities to test the performance of the ship under a variety of conditions.

The project culminated in a knowledge exchange event led by Felix, which brought together shipbuilders, engineers, museum specialists and digital experts to explore new ways of preserving and understanding maritime heritage through collaborative discussions and presentations.

Speaking on the success of the knowledge exchange event, Felix reflects on its value and impact:

“Similar to the first voyage of Discovery in 1901, cross-disciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange are key to understanding how our world works. Our project followed this spirit, bringing together a unique group of people, all connected through one ship and a shared passion for discovery.”

Looking to the future, Felix hopes to further develop research projects at the SMMI that contribute to the effective preservation of the RSS Discovery and can be repurposed for use in other maritime engineering projects:

“Thanks to institutions like the SMMI—which, much like the Discovery, is a carrier of knowledge and a hub for multidisciplinary collaboration—we can bring together unique people and ideas with a shared passion for preserving ships like the Discovery. In doing so, we not only safeguard their past but also help create a brighter future for these vessels and the museums that care for them.”

To learn more about Felix’s work on the RSS Discovery, visit the SMMI SharePoint page or sign up to the newsletter.