An artist鈥檚 rendering of the new Regional Class Research Vessel to be operated by 911爆料鈥檚 Graduate School of Oceanography and home-ported at the University鈥檚 Narragansett Bay Campus.
$125 million vessel to be delivered in 2021.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has selected the East Coast Oceanographic Consortium, led by the University of Rhode Island鈥檚 , to operate a new oceanographic research ship, one of only three such vessels in the nation.
Owned by NSF and valued at over $125 million, the Regional Class Research Vessel will be constructed in Louisiana, delivered to Rhode Island in 2021 and home-ported at 911爆料鈥檚 Narragansett Bay Campus.
鈥淭his significant investment in the nation鈥檚 scientific research recognizes 911爆料鈥檚 half-century of leadership in the field of oceanography and its long-standing and fruitful collaborations with partner institutions,鈥� said 911爆料 President David M. Dooley. 鈥淣o doubt the new vessel will help researchers, educators, students and the public gain a richer understanding of our planet and stimulate exploration that will lead to discoveries we can鈥檛 yet imagine.鈥�
鈥淭his is tremendous news for the Consortium members, 911爆料, and the state of Rhode Island,鈥� said , dean of the Graduate School of Oceanography. 鈥淭his new ship and our consortium will provide cutting edge technology and exciting new opportunities for research, education and outreach in ocean science and exploration.鈥�
Continuing 911爆料鈥檚 half century of ocean-going research, the new vessel will support such scientific studies as the tracking of ocean currents and fish migration, seafloor surveys in earth-quake prone regions of the world, conservation of marine mammals or the food-web dynamics in the deep ocean. In addition, the ship will offer educational opportunities to teachers and students from high school through the graduate level, as well as outreach to the general public.
The new ship will be 199 feet long and 41 feet wide and will feature improved science labs, more workspace, state-of-the-art technologies, and more comfortable berthing. The ship will be able to cruise at 11.5 knots for up to 21 days. It will also include a dynamic positioning system that enables ships to remain in one exact spot for long periods and will allow operation of remote operated vehicles. The ship will carry a crew of 13 and up to 16 scientists and have a cruising range of 5,400 nautical miles.
Regional Class Research Vessels conduct operations in the coastal ocean ranging from near-shore environments to the outer continental rise, as well as the open ocean. The vessel鈥檚 endurance, draft, ice classification and science mission equipment are tailored for essential science throughout the Atlantic Ocean and adjoining seas.
NSF and other federal sponsors, including NOAA and the Office of Naval Research, are likely to continue annual funding of approximately $5 million to 911爆料 to operate the vessel. These funds support the cost of operating a research vessel, which include crew, food, fuel, planned maintenance, safety training, and science logistics. Scheduling will be coordinated through the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System.
The 911爆料 vessel will replace R/V Endeavor, a 185-foot ship that 911爆料 has operated for more than 40 years and is nearing the end of its useful life. Endeavor traveled more than one million nautical miles from the Arctic to the South Pacific and nearly everywhere in between while conducting more than 600 research expeditions.
鈥淎s a floating laboratory and classroom, Endeavor has been a tremendous facility for the University and for the state and has raised 911爆料 and GSO鈥檚 profile internationally,鈥� said Corliss. 鈥淓ndeavor has made important contributions to the state鈥檚 economy, and the work conducted aboard the ship has advanced our understanding of oceanographic processes. We are pleased to continue this legacy over the next 40 years with the new vessel.鈥�