Rachel Carson
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Research Vessel
Rachel Carson
This Custom built Research vessel for the University of Maryland Christened the “Rachel Carson” is specifically designed to provide a stable platform for decades of service to UMCES scientists. In addition to her shallow draft, and rapid station to station speed capability, the vessel included a State-of-the-Art dynamic positioning system which allows the vessel to maintain position over one location regardless of wind and current. Outfitted with a trio of powerful winches allows scientists to deploy and retrieve multiple buoys and sampling devices over the side or stern. Built-in electronic sensors continuously measure the water quality, biology and currents whether underway or on station.
Vessel Particulars
- U.S. Coast Guard Letter of Designation as Oceanographic
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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
Main Deck Wet Lab Area: 112 square feet
Below Deck Dry Lab/Storage Area: 45 square feet
After Deck Work Area: 325 square feet
Construction: Aluminum -
Scientific Party: Up to 5 overnight; maximum of 30 for educational cruises
Crew: Two (2): Master, Mate
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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 -
Kongsberg cPos Dynamic Positioning System
Trimble Differential GPS
Northstar 952X Differential GPS
Furuno 1964C Color Radar
Furuno 1832 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
Furuno FM-3000 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
Vessel Endurance
The 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.
The ship is large enough to transport research teams up and down the bay’s entire 184-mile length, yet runs shallow enough to allow scientists access to the smallest of critical Bay tributaries.
Location
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U.S. Coast Guard Letter of Designation as Oceanographic
Solomons, Maryland, USA
