2 reversible electric propulsion motors (2600 kW each) driving two slow-speed fixed-pitch propellers, RV Investigator is an Australian marine research vessel which was designed by RALion (joint venture between Robert Allan Ltd. and Alion Science and Technology).

It was constructed in Singapore and is owned and managed by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), through Australia's Marine National Facility,[1] with its operations funded by the Australian Government to undertake oceanographic, geoscience, ecosystem and fisheries research.

[2] RV Investigator was transferred from Sembawang Shipyard to the delivery crew on 5 August 2014 for pre-departure testing and setup.

The vessel arrived at its home port of Hobart on 9 September 2014[3] and was officially launched on 12 December 2014.

[2] In November 2020, the RV Investigator front camera captured a green meteor entering the atmosphere and produces a clear video of this rare phenomenon.