| 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 | 
 
