Nereus is powered by twin-diesels giving 400 horsepower. Bridge equipment includes a Simrad research echo-sounder as well as modern navigational aids. The draught of only 1.8 meters allows access to shallow waters. The 8.5 meter aluminium vessel Doris equipped with hydraulic winch, echo-sounder, radar, etc. is powered by a 120 h.p. Additional craft include 10 smaller boats powered by 15 h.p.
T o collect organisms there are nets for phyto- and zooplankton.
Water collectors, bottom grabs and dredges, seines, fyke nets and a trawl are also available. Chemical and physical field instruments include oxygen meter, salinometer, in situ fluorimeter, in situ video recorder, light meter, pH-meter and video recorder for field work. In the scuba diving hall there is a compressor and facilities to rinse, dry and store diving equipment. There are two workshop halls for service, repair and manufacture of equipment. About 20 aquariums, containing hundreds of species of algae, invertebrates and fish, show the most typical bottom environments of the Skagerrak.