Eastern Builds Research Vessel For U of M

The University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science recently received F.G. Walton Smith at its Virginia Key facility from Panama City, Fla.-based Eastern Shipbuilding.

Designed as an advanced research catamaran boasting technologically-driven onboard laboratories, the allaluminum vessel is capable of both shallow and deepwater marine and atmospheric research.

Named for the first dean and founder of the Rosenstiel School, the vessel will be used in combination with the University's new Center for Sustainable Fisheries, aimed at research and education to protect threatened fisheries.

Measuring 96 ft. (29.2 m) with a 40 ft. (12.1 m) beam and operating at a draft of 6 ft. (1.8 m), the vessel was constructed inside a total aluminum fabrication building, with Timothy Graul & Associates of Sturgeon Bay, Wise., providing the vessel's design to the University for bidding purposes.

F.G. Walton Smith accommodates 20 persons and holds both laboratories with both wet and dry spaces comprised of 800 sq. ft., with an added 800 sq. ft. of multipurpose space on the stern. Power is provided by a pair of Cummins QSK 19 main engines rated at 760-hp each, connected to Servogear Model HD220HL variable pitch propeller systems, and generators are Cummins model 6BT5.9GM2 80 kW.

Circle 33 on Reader Service Card

Maritime Reporter Magazine, page 27,  May 2000

Read Eastern Builds Research Vessel For U of M in Pdf, Flash or Html5 edition of May 2000 Maritime Reporter

Other stories from May 2000 issue

Content

Maritime Reporter

First published in 1881 Maritime Reporter is the world's largest audited circulation publication serving the global maritime industry.