Page 126: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (November 2015)

RESEARCH VESSEL REPORT

Shakedown @ Sea New Ships Join RV Fleet he nation’s newest oceano- pable science platforms. low water and deep ocean multi-beam Scripps Institution of Oceanography; graphic research vessel, the “During their 45-year careers, they bottom mapping sonars, multiple acous- R/V Atlantis (AGOR 25); operated by

R/V Neil Armstrong (AGOR sailed millions of miles and supported tic-doppler current pro? lers, and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution;

T27), has completed acceptance signi? cant oceanographic projects,” latest over-the-side handling gear for and R/V Kilo Moana (AGOR 26), oper- trials, and the U.S. Navy turned the ship said Program Of? cer Tim Schnoor, who collection of ocean samples. The ves- ated by the University of Hawaii. over to Woods Hole Oceanographic In- oversees Of? ce on Naval Research’s sels themselves represent the latest in According to Schnoor, oceanographic stitution (WHOI) on Sept. 23, which (ONR’s) oceanographic research vessel research vessel design and construction research vessels within the U.S. ARF will operate the vessel as part of the U.S. programs. to support science operations, minimize are owned by federal agencies (the Navy

Academic Research Fleet (ARF). “These two vessels are destined for ad- cavitation noise impacting sonar opera- and the National Science Foundation) “The U.S. Navy is proud to support ditional oceanographic service, as they tions, and maximize safety and stabil- and state institutions, such as universi- the national research ? eet by deliver- will be transferred to the navies of Mex- ity for science operations in higher sea ties. Vessels are leased to competitively ing state-of-the-art research vessels like ico and the Philippines respectively,” states,” Schnoor says. selected, oceanographic research institu- the R/V Neil Armstrong,” said Chief of says Schnoor. The six Navy-owned vessels are char- tions via charter party agreements or co-

Naval Research Rear Adm. Mat Winter According to Schnoor, the new deep- ter leased to U.S. oceanographic research operative agreements for a period of ? ve about the event. “The Navy’s innovative ocean, general-purpose research vessel institutions. years, and are generally renewable with scienti? c mission will directly bene? t will study ocean chemistry and geology, The U.S. ARF includes six Navy the same institution for the service life of from the ? elding of this next-generation underwater acoustics, marine biology oceanographic research vessels known the vessel. The vessels are operated and research ship focused on maritime tech- and ecosystem management, and marine as Auxiliary General Purpose Oceano- maintained by licensed mariners hired nology discoveries and break-through technology development. “There is still graphic Research (AGOR) vessels. as university employees. Operations capabilities.” much to be learned about our oceans and These vessels are purpose-built to com- and maintenance costs are sponsored by

Sister ship R/V Sally Ride (AGOR 28) the Neil Armstrong will certainly be a mercial standards, classed by the Ameri- federal agencies who sponsor the scien- will join the ? eet next year and will be part of many future discoveries.” can Bureau of Shipping, and certi? ed by ti? c research carried out on the vessel. assigned to Scripps Institution of Ocean- With its crew of 20, the 238-foot ves- the United States Coast Guard for ocean- Depending on vessel size and capability, ography. sel can conduct science expeditions up to ographic research. and the scienti? c objectives, vessels gen-

The new ships will replace R/V Knorr 40 days for as many as 24 scientists and In addition to the new ships, the Na- erally complete from 10 to 25 separate (AGOR 15) and R/V Melville (AGOR research staff. vy’s research ? eet include R/V Thomas cruises annually lasting from a few days 14) as part of the Navy’s portion of the “The Neil Armstrong and Sally Ride G. Thompson (AGOR 23), operated up to two months.

ARF. Both ships have reached their ex- will support the current practice of by the University of Washington: R/V Cruises take place the world over, in pected service life, but they are still ca- oceanographic research with both shal- Roger Revelle (AGOR 24), operated by every ocean, major body of water, the

Great Lakes, in U.S. and foreign ex- clusive economic zones (EEZs), says

Schnoor. “Teams of scientists accom- pany the research vessel and crew on planned science cruises. The teams are headed by a chief scientist, and can in- clude from a few to as many as 35 other scientists from the same or different in-

Dakota Creek built the na- tion’s newest oceanographic research vessel, the

R/V Neil Armstrong (AGOR 27), which completed ac- ceptance trials. Tthe U.S.

Navy turned the ship over to

Woods Hole Oceanographic

Institution (WHOI) on Sept. 23, which will operate the vessel as part of the U.S. Academic

Research Fleet (ARF).

(Courtesy of Dakota Creek Industries, Anacortes, Washington.) 126 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • NOVEMBER 2015

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