Research Vessel Under Construction

A New Oceanographic Research Vessel

This is one of three nearly identical Regional Class Research Vessels (RCRV) commissioned by the National Science Foundation and led by Oregon State University. Once complete, this particular hull will be operated by the University of Rhode Island as part of the East Coast Oceanographic Consortium, supporting coastal and open-ocean science missions along the Atlantic seaboard.

Inside the Construction Bay

This fixed camera looks across the vessel's port hull from within the shipbuilder's covered construction bay. The hull's upper half is built from aluminum and its lower half from steel, joined by an explosively bonded bimetallic strip — a detail visible in the banding along the hull plating that this camera captures.

The Regional Class Research Vessel Program

The RCRV program will deliver three sister ships for the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) academic research fleet, operated respectively by Oregon State University, the University of Rhode Island, and the University of Southern Mississippi, replacing older vessels nearing the end of their service lives.

Where the Ship Is Built

Construction takes place at a shipyard on the Gulf Coast of Louisiana, where the shipbuilder assembles the hull sections, superstructure, and outfitting before the vessel is floated out and prepared for sea trials.