Information for researchers

TZS has several boats / vessels for coastal research, including the 18.5 m R/V Augusta equipped for heavy-duty sampling and the hover craft Saga for winter studies. The boats are presented here.

Motor boats require a boat permit and a fee is charged for their use. To get the permit, one must have sufficient technical skills and an understanding of one’s responsibilities as a captain of the boat. Also knowledge of the local waterways and conditions that may occur at sea is required. An introduction and familiarization to the boats by TZS staff is required before you can obtain a boating permit.

Smaller boats can be booked via the online booking system. You need to register for the online booking system and admin will then grant you access to book the types of boats that you have a permit for (it might take a day to get access, so please register in advance). You need to assign a “captain” for the boat (legal requirement) at least 48 hours before departure, otherwise the booking is cancelled automatically. Cancellations should be done as soon as they become evident, so that the boats can be used by others instead and so that you will not be charged for unnecessary reservations. Contact the TZS reserach technicians for assistance with the bookings.

Please note that the driver is legally responsible for the boat and the safety of the passengers. Rules for users of motor boats are found in the Handbook.

The bigger vessels (Augusta, J.A. Palmén and the hover craft Saga) are always booked through our skippers Göran Lundberg or Jostein Solbakken.

If you are planning to dive at TZS, please contact our diving safety officer to discuss your diving plans. Please note that a diving permit is needed for diving at TZS. Terms and safety instructions have been described in the permit form. A diver should also have a filled-in health report form or valid medical certificate and diver’s insurance. Diving services at TZS include e.g. sampling, deployment of research equipment, checking of experimental set-up, and scientific diving training. These diving services are liable to charge. Some dive equipment can be borrowed for research and course work, and there is a compressor for filling tanks to 200 and 300 bar. 

Read more about scientific diving training organised at TZS by the Finnish Scientific Diving Academy.

The area around TZS area is protected as a nature conservation area, which includes the sea and the seafloor, and where only activities related to research and education are allowed. A special permit is required for sampling in the area. Throughout the year it is not allowed to move in the area outside the official waterways or to go ashore any islands. Fishing is not allowed. More information is available from Joanna Norkko.

Please see the map of the nature reserve.

TZS has light- and temperature regulated rooms for aquarium experiments, as well as indoor and outdoor experimental aquaria facilities, all with flow-through seawater. In addition to these experimental facilities , the station is well equipped for conducting large-scale field experiments. Detailed instructions for the use of the experimental facilities can be found in the Handbook.

Please note that a special permit might be needed for experiments with vertebrates (including fish). This permit has to be applied for from the national animal experiment board well in advance before starting the experiments. More information is available from Joanna Norkko.

The laboratory facilities include a multi-purpose laboratory and laboratories for nutrient analysis, C/N analysis, spectroscopy, microscopy and vacuum filtration. Detailed instructions for the laboratories can be found in the Handbook.

Laboratory analyses and services can be ordered by filling an order form and sending it to the TZS office (tvarminne-zool@helsinki.fi). The laboratory pricelist is also available from the office. More information about laboratory services is provided by laboratory chief Jaana Koistinen.

• Order form for laboratory analyses, services and supplies

The laboratory analytical equipment and the field sampling equipment is listed here.

TZS also hosts a duplicate of the FINMARI phytoplankton culture collection, managed by the Marine Research Centre, Finnish Environment Institute, including approx. 100 species strains of Baltic Sea phytoplankton, which can be used in experimental work.

Bench fees and costs for boat hire, technical assistance, accommodation and dining are charged according to the following price lists:

• Pricelist for bench fees, boats, diving, etc.
• Pricelist for accommodation and dining