The R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer
first arrived in the Antarctic Peninsula area in April 1992. The
vessel is owned by Edison Chouest Offshore and is of United States
Registry. The vessel will start its second long-term charter to
support the United States Antarctic Program in April 2002. The R/V
Nathaniel B. Palmer is ice-class ABS A2, is 93.9 meters long,
has a beam of 18.3 meters, a design draught of 6.9 meters, and
displaces 6800 long tons. The vessel has 13,000 shaft horsepower
driving two controllable pitch propellers and is also equipped
with both bow and stern thrusters. The vessel is a
multidisciplinary research platform, has a crew of 26 and
accommodation for 39 scientists. It is designed for year-round
operations in Polar regions.
Research
Capabilities.
The vessel is equipped with a P-Code GPS satellite precision navigation system, fish-finding sonar, sub-bottom profiling sonar, a SeaBeam swath bathymetry system,
INMARSAT communications, TeraScan satellite imaging system, and HF and VHF
transceivers. The vessel is also equipped with a dynamic positioning system. A deep sea
trawl and coring winch and two hydrographic winches are operated through stern and
starboard A-frames. One hydrographic winch, equipped with electromechanical cable,
leads through a baltic-room arrangement that protects it from the weather. The vessel is
also equipped with multi-channel seismic capability, and laboratory space totaling
approximately 520 square meters, all located contiguously on the main deck. The vessel
also has a suite of portable lab vans. Zodiacs are available for ship-to-shore transport
and sample collection.
Ship’s Master: Captain Joe Borkowski.
Scientific
Programs in the Antarctic Treaty Area
The R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer
will conduct cruises in the Southern Ocean
surrounding Antarctica, for scientific research in the following disciplines: Physical and
Chemical Oceanography, Marine Geology and Geophysics, and Marine Biology.
Intended Tracks and
Schedule
The vessel is currently scheduled
for work in the Weddell and Bellingshausen Seas, Bransfield
Strait, and Marguerite Bay areas, and to enter a dry dock period
May 25 through July 25 in Talcahuano, Chile. During this period
the Simrad Seatrial and the RVIB Acceptance test will take place.
Ports of call include: Punta Arenas and Talcahuano, Chile;
Lyttelton, New Zealand; and McMurdo Base; and San Diego, CA. The
vessel will perform approximately 9 cruises during the 2002-2003
season. The vessel is tentatively scheduled to transport hazardous
waste from Palmer Station back to the United States in September
2002.
The R/V Laurence M. Gould first arrived in the Antarctic Peninsula in January
1998. The vessel is owned by Edison Chouest Offshore and is of United States
Registry. The vessel will be on long-term charter to support the United States Antarctic
Program. The R/V Laurence M. Gould is ice-class ABS A1, is 70.1 meters long,
has a beam of 14.02 meters, a design draught of 5.48 and displaces 3780 long tons. The
vessel has 4,575 shaft horsepower driving two controllable pitch propellers and is also
equipped with a bow thruster. The vessel is a multidisciplinary research platform with a
crew of 16 and accommodation for 28 scientists. It is designed for year-round
operations in Polar regions.
Research
Capabilities
The vessel is equipped with a P-Code GPS satellite precision navigation system, fish-finding sonar, sub-bottom profiling sonar, INMARSAT communications and HF and
VHF transceivers. A deep sea trawl winch and two hydro-winches are to be operated
through a stern A-frame and starboard side-hydro davits. One hydrographic winch,
equipped with electromechanical cable, leads through a baltic-room arrangement that
protects it from the weather. Various over-the-side sampling equipment will be handled
through use of an articulated Hiab crane on the ship's fantail. In addition, it is equipped
with laboratories totaling 99 square meters and an additional 27 square meters in
portable laboratory vans. Zodiacs are available for ship-to-shore transport and sample
collection.
Ship’s Master: Captain
Robert Verret
Scientific
Programs in the Antarctic Treaty Area
The R/V Laurence M. Gould
will support research during 2002-2003 season that includes
biological, chemical, and physical oceanography as well as marine
geology and geophysics. The R/V Laurence M. Gould will also
provide logistic support to transport scientists, cargo, and
personnel to/from Palmer Station.
Intended Tracks
and Schedule
The R/V Laurence M. Gould
will transport support personnel to and from Palmer Station,
provide research support in and around the Bransfield
Strait/Marguerite Bay areas, and enter a routine maintenance
period and Dry Dock May 25 through July 1 in Talcahuano, Chile.
The vessel will perform approximately 10 cruises in the Antarctic
Peninsula area during the 2002-2003 season.
