The R/V Atlântico Sul is a trawler-type vessel built in 1976. With 36 m length, 8 m beam and 4.3 m head, it has a crew of 12 people and can house up to 14 researchers. Its maximum draught is 4.5 meters, with a maximum speed of 11 knots, and an autonomy of 25 days at sea. Its hold storages up to 50 m³, the oil tank has a capacity of 120 tons and can carry 38 m³ of water.

       The R/V Atântico Sul is capable of performing several research tasks, with one MWM td 440 engine (8810 hp - 870 rpm), 2 auxiliary MWM-229-6 engines (120 hp) and 2 generators (60 KVA, 220 Vac), and can operate several pieces of oceanographic instruments. The fishing winch, with MWM td 232-12 (350 hp) engine, has a drum with a capacity of 2000 m of 3/4" cable. The oceanographic winch, with autonomous hydraulic drive, 4000 m drum of 1/4" cable and speed up to 45 m/min of cable with a load capacity of 1,640 kg. It has an electro-hydraulic trawl-EYE winch, with hydraulically driven net drum for 3000 m of 12 mm cable (coaxial cable).

           A room with scientific hydro-acoustic equipment (area 8 m²) houses the EK-500 SIMRAD scientific sounding system (38 and 120 Khz), and the MKT-21 seawater thermograph (Murayama Denky). The wet lab (16 m²) allows for sample treatment, filtration, and processing of newly collected material. The dry lab (12 m²) enables the installation of computers and other equipment for data collection. Besides the scientific equipment, the R/V Atlântico Sul has the following fishing equipment: trawl-EYE system; EQ-100 SIMRAD 49 Khz probe; ES 700 SIMRAD 70 Khz probe; SL 490 SIMRAD 49 Khz sonar.

        In 2012 the INCTMar-COI proposal, led by PPGOB´s faculty members, was approved at the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). Part of the funding resources is being used for a significant revitalization of the vessel, including engine refurbishment and acquisition of oceanographic instruments, such as a rosette with 24 metal-free bottles for water sampling.