Gulf Coast Research Laboratory

Facilities

Research Vessels

A request form and waiver are both required to schedule vessels.

R/V Tommy Munro
R/V Tom Mcllwain
R/V Hermes

Capt. Paul Beaugez
Capt. Monty Simmons
Capt. Derek Groves

Request
Request
Request

&
&
&

Waiver
Waiver
Waiver

R/V Tommy Munro

Capt. Paul Beaugez

The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory's R/V TOMMY MUNRO is a fully equipped oceanographic research vessel available for public and private charter. It has been widely used in a variety of research and engineering projects within the Gulf of Mexico. Onboard research activity has included trawling surveys, long-lining, deployment and recovery of arrays, structures, buoys and moorings, cable laying and sea/shore interface installation, submarine and diverless systems support, seismic research, camera platform and tracking assignments, oceanographic surveys and logistics, and diving support.

The R/V TOMMY MUNRO (Official Number 634430) was constructed at Bender Shipyard in Mobile, Alabama and commissioned in 1981. It has International Load Line Certification issued by the US Coast Guard and the American Bureau of Shipping. Communication can be made directly to the ship either through its radio or radiotelephone call sign, WRB 2908. The Boat Master/Port Captain is Capt. Paul Beaugez.

The R/V TOMMY MUNRO is 97 feet, 6 inches in length, with a 25 ft. beam, 12 ft. depth, and 9 ft. draft. Displacement is 159 gross tons. It is capable of cruising at speeds in excess of 10 knots, has a range of 2,500 nautical miles, and can stay offshore for up to 20 days. Fuel efficiency is 50 gallons/hour @ 10 knots. Berthing for 12 scientists and 5 crew is available. All accommodations are air-conditioned. A 25 x 45 ft. work deck provides ample space.

The R/V TOMMY MUNRO is driven by twin GM V12-71 engines each capable of 300 hp @ 1,800 RPM. Electrical power is provided by 2 GM-4-71 diesel-powered generators supplying 50 kw (208/120V AC). Hydraulic power is obtained from one 15 GPM @ 2000 PSI system and one 6 GPM @ 2,000 PSI system. Tankage is available for 10,850 gallons of fuel oil, 250 gallons of lube oil, 10,918 gallons of ballast water, and 10,294 gallons of potable water.

Ample electronic equipment is available, including: two Furno Radars - a 5 kw and 10 kw, 48 nm radar, a DGPS Antenna with CAP'N navigation program, a Sperry Magnetic Compass, a Sperry 8T Auto-Pilot, a Ray-53-A VHF WRB 2908 Radiotelephone, a Hull Model 922 SSB WRB 2908 Radio, an Atlas Echograph 680 Recording Fathometer with Graphic Scale Expander, a Datamarine System 2300B Digital Depth Indicator, a Skipper Model CS115 Color Echo Sounder with 50 KHz Transducer, and a J-TEC Model VA-320 Vortex Anemometer with speed and direction indicators in the wheelhouse and dry laboratory for meteorological monitoring.

Deck equipment includes: 3 trawl winches (all hydraulic port and starboard McElroy winches with level wind, 7,000 ft. of 1/2 inch cable; hydrographic winch with level wind and 12 conductor slip rings; 13,000 ft. of 1/4 inch cable or 6,000 ft of 3/8 inch cable), a McElroy hydraulic anchor winch, port and stern hydraulic A-Frames, a stern mounted hydraulically operated net reel with 4 x 5 ft spool with line pull capacity of 3 to 4 tons and drum torque at 1/2 drum @ 90,000 lbs., and 2 12-man Givens Buoy Life Rafts, SEAPIRB, ZODIAC with outboard power and fire extinguishers for safety.

CHARTER FEE SCHEDULE (effective date 7/1/2007):

The total charter fee will be determined by adding the cost of fuel actually used to the following basic charges:

Basic 24 hour day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$5,200.00

IMPORTANT NOTES:

The charter period will begin when the R/V TOMMY MUNRO gets underway from the home pier at Pt. Cadet, Biloxi, Mississippi at midnight (12:01) on the day requested. It will end on return to the same pier. Any hours above and beyond 24 will be charged the full daily rate of $5,200 per day. Example: one 8, 16 or 22 hour trip will be $5,200 plus fuel. However, time delays encountered due to factors beyond the control of Gulf Coast Research Laboratory will be charged to the contractor at a rate of $650.00 per day.
For charter periods of more then 24 hours, a new charter day will commence exactly 24 hours after R/V TOMMY MUNRO gets underway from its berth and at the end of each successive 24-hour period.
The total charter fee will be calculated by adding the cost of fuel actually consumed to the above fees. The amount of fuel will be determined from tank soundings taken on departure and on return. The cost of the fuel will be calculated by multiplying the number of gallons used by the cost paid per gallon for diesel fuel when the vessel was last refueled.
According to the manufacturer's curves on fuel consumption, the GM-12V71 main engines will use approximately 50 gallons per hour at R/V TOMMY MUNRO's cruising speed of ten (10.0) knots. One of the two GM-471 auxiliary engines will be required to be in operation continuously to provide electrical power whether R/V TOMMY MUNRO is at anchor or underway, requiring a fuel expenditure of approximately 8.5 gallons per hour.
On all charters, the R/V TOMMY MUNRO crew will operate all shipboard machinery. The chartering agency or firm must provide sufficient personnel for loading and unloading its equipment and supplies, off-loading specimen material and seawater, and for carrying out its planned sampling program, including the steaming and recovery of dredges, nets, and other special equipment. A mobilization fee for loading and unloading in the amount of $1,000 per day will be charged. Based on the needs of the charterer for mobilization and demobilization, additional charges may be levied, such as crane rental, etc.
Fees are subject to change without notice.
For all external charters a purchase order is required in our office prior to departure.
If a "Request for Services" form is not completed and filed in the Boat Operations office at least two weeks prior to any trip, the trip will not be confirmed and could be subject to changes in dates.

Information/Scheduling of GCRL Research Vessels