Since 2006, she has been the geophysical survey vessel, RV Ocean Researcher, RRS Charles Darwin was built in 1985 by Appledore Shipbuilders in Devon.

Named after the eminent English naturalist, she was used primarily for research in oceanography, geology, and geophysics.

After 21 years of service, Charles Darwin was retired in June 2006, and replaced by the RRS James Cook.

[8] Purchased by Gardline Marine Sciences Limited of Great Yarmouth, she was renamed RV Ocean Researcher, and now conducts geophysical surveys.

Researchers from the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, studying climate change, have used RRS Charles Darwin to investigate the slowing of the Gulf Stream.