Research Fleet

Technical Specifications

Class/Type:

Uninspected Oceanographic Research Vessel
Certification: U.S. Coast Guard Letter of Designation as Oceanographic Research Vessel
Construction Aluminum
Length (LOA) 81'
Beam: 18'
Draft: 4' 8"
Air Draft: 36'
Freeboard: 4'
Deadweight Tonnage: 60 long tons
Lightship Weight: 54 long tons
International Gross Tonnage: 78 tons
Speed: 1.5 kts. minimum to 23 kts. maximum
Main Deck Wet Lab Area 112 square feet
Below Deck Dry Lab/Storage Area: 45 square feet
After Deck Work Area: 325 square feet
Owner: University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
Built: 2008 by Hike Metal Products, Ltd.; Wheatley, Ontario, Canada
Home Port: Solomons, Maryland
Scientific Party: Up to 5 overnight; maximum of 30 for educational cruises
Crew: Two (2):  Master, Mate
Main Engines: Twin MTU 10 V 2000 M-72 diesels, 2,410 Total Horsepower
Water Jets: Twin Hamilton HM 651
Bowthruster: Wesmar V2-12 Electric Drive, 30 HP
Ship Service Generator: 99 kw, 120/208 VAC, 60 cycle, 3 phase Northern Lights
Hydraulics: 20 H.P. 2,500 psi system provides power to the aft and starboard A-frames
   

Ship's Navigation and Communications Equipment

 
   
Navigation  
  Kongsberg cPos Dynamic Positioning System

Trimble Differential GPS

Northstar 952X Differential GPS

Furuno FAR/1523BB Color Radar

Furuno FR/8125 Monochrome Radar

Furuno FCV 585 Color Video Depth Sounder

Furuno RD-30 Multi-display with 235 kHz Depth Smart Sensor

Furuno SC-50 Satellite Compass

Furuno AIS-150 Universal Automatic Identification System

 Communications  
  Furuno FM-8900S Semi-Duplex VHF-FM Radios (two each)

Furuno LH-3000 Loudhailer

Furuno FS-1503 Single Sideband Radio

3G WiFi Router with Aircard for internal internet access

Remote Video Monitoring System

Endurance  
  Rachel Carson can accommodate cruises of from 1 to 5 days duration.  The vessel will normally dock at the end of each day at home port or a marina.  Continuous underway time is limited to 12 hours a day.  Arrangements to replenish fuel, fresh water, and food supplies may have to be made from time-to-time during the course of a cruise.  The ship's Master will work very closely with the Chief Scientist to make these arrangements, and every attempt will be made so as not to interfere with scientific operations