Though Belgian sea scientists already signaled the need for a national marine research ship at the beginning of the 20th century, the first Belgian oceanographic research vessel 'RV A962 Belgica' was only launched in 1984. The general history of the research vessels in Belgium is outlined in the Grote Rede-article 'Belgian research vessels then, now and in the future'. The other informative fact sheets provide an individual history of the various Belgian ships that were used for marine studies before the RV Belgica was introduced.