Marine scientists at the University of New Hampshire celebrated their new at-sea platform July 27 with dockside tours of the 48’x17’4’11’ research vessel Gulf Surveyor, an aluminum catamaran commissioned in January by All American Marine, Bellingham, Wash.
Designed by All American’s partner Teknicraft Design, Ltd., Auckland, New Zealand, the Gulf Surveyor is Coast Guard certified to carry up to 18 persons on a coastwise route in the Gulf of Maine not more than 20 miles offshore.
Powered by a pair of Cummins QSB6.7 diesels with 247 hp each at 2,600 rpm, the Gulf Surveyor spins two five-bladed propellers to cruise at around 14 knots and has a top speed around 18 knots. When towing scientific instruments minimum speed can be as low as 3 knots, and speed is generally limited to around 8 knots during survey work depending on the sonar mounted.
Ship’s power comes from 21.5 KW Cummins Onan, 120/240 V AC generator. Running off the genset is a Simrad navigational suite, including a GS25 GPS receiver, an RC42 fluxgate rate compass, DX64s and broadband 4G radars, and an AP70 autopilot.
Communications include a pair of ICOM IC-M4240 marine VHF radios, and a Si-Tex Metadata Class B Automatic Identification System transponder. Navigation is powered by Rose Point Coastal Explorer. Surveying equipment includes an RD Instruments WH Mariner 600 kHz acoustic Doppler current profiler, Odom THP 200/24-4/20 single transducer, and Trimble Trimark 3 RTK GPS receiver.
The vessel features a 12’6”x9’6” laboratory space, and a retractable transducer strut that vertically moves through a 35” x 70” moon pool door. Deck gear includes a Morgan Marine Model 300.4 hydraulic crane; a DT Marine Model DT5005EHLWR electro-hydraulic winch; an A-frame with 2,000 lb. capacity; a davit with 200 lb. capacity and motor assisted windlass; and two swim platforms with dive ladder and tank rack.
