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Watch the progress of the UMCES research vessel   (Click on photos for larger view).

April 30, 2008 Shipbuilders are beginning to focus on the vessel's interior, testing prime locations for electronics and instrumentation. On the exterior, crews are constructing the vessel's air stacks.

March 24, 2008 Last week Hike Metal provided a large batch of photos updating UMCES Research Fleet Operations on construction progress. Workers have attached rails to the deck and installed stairwells below. In addition to installing the jet intakes, workers have also finished installing bow thruster tunnels that will help the ship dock and stay on station during her Bay monitoring cruises.

March 3, 2008 It's been a busy few weeks since our last update. Since then, workers have began fabricating the legs for the stern A-frame and roughed in the vessel's bow thruster tunnel. Hand grabs have been added to the pilot house, and life rails and sheer guards have been tack-welded into place. Down below, the fueling station is taking shape, with installation of filling and venting pipes.

February 15, 2008 Workers continue welding along with installing rails and hatches and fabricating the A-frame. Workers also began pressurizing the vessel's twin fuel tanks to check for leaks, and after they check out, they will be installed.

January 6, 2008 Workers are hard at work after the holidays, as she continues to look more and more like a research vessel. Photos taken on a recent visit by UMCES staff show significant progress on both the topsides and below!

December 13, 2007 Over the last two weeks, builders continued to push forward, attaching the superstructure and welding the deck plating to the hull. She's finally looking like a ship!

November 28, 2007 The vessel is beginning to show signs of her future look, as workers continue to place rolled aluminum plates along the hull. Work began this week on the pilot house superstructure, with workers planning on cutting the vessel's three front windows in the near future.

November 15, 2007 Construction continues at Hike, with workers this week tack welding the aluminum plates that will form the vessel's hull and finish welding structural supports throughout the vessel.