Discussion on the future of U.S. ocean research capabilities at AGU’s recent annual meeting revealed that decommissioning of research vessels and a lack of funding for new ones have put U.S. ocean scientists at a global disadvantage, Eos reported. Since the 1980s, the country’s academic research fleet has dwindled from 34 vessels to 17.

National Science Foundation (NSF) funding, though, has allowed for construction of three new ocean research vessels. Scientists hope these Regional-class research vessels (RCRVs), named for their planned use close to U.S. coasts, will play a small part in bolstering U.S. ocean research capabilities.

The vessels are being built by Bollinger Shipyards in Houma, Lousiana. They will replace: RV Oceanus, a now-retired vessel once operated by Oregon State University (OSU); RV Endeavor, which is currently operated by the University of Rhode Island; and RV Point Sur, an aged ship brought out of retirement in 2015 and currently operated by the University of Southern Mississippi. 

The OSU design team plans to include many advanced features, such as a propulsion and navigation system that enables station-keeping, sonar instruments for deep- and shallow-water seafloor mapping, oceanic and atmospheric sensors that collect data available to shore-based researchers in real time, and coring capabilities.

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