Southern Miss Celebrates a Decade of Ocean Science with Research Vessel Point Sur, Driving Research and Coastal Exploration

Wed, 04/30/2025 - 12:33am | By: Dr. Leila Hamdan

Ten years ago, The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) purchased the R/V Point Sur from San Jose State University with a $1 million grant provided by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. The ship embarked on a long journey down the California coast, through the Panama Canal, and arrived on the Mississippi Gulf Coast on March 29, 2015. This milestone opened the door for USM to provide life-changing research opportunities and tell countless stories.

For the past decade, the ship has been hard at work studying the coastal and ocean habitats of the Gulf, mapping the seafloor with autonomous vehicles and understanding the long-term impacts and recovery from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The vessel has also contributed to a broad range of ocean exploration efforts—helping to discover shipwrecks, launching autonomous research systems, deploying sensors and platforms, and capturing the first—and only—sighting of a giant squid in U.S. waters. Much of this work has supported federal and state research priorities and positioned Mississippi to lead in the advancement of the Blue Economy.

A broad array of scientists has relied on the ship, warmly called “Point Sure” by the research community, because of the ability of the crew to make an increasingly technical and aspirational portfolio of research possible. In the four decades since the ship’s hull was laid, the world of science has changed dramatically. What has remained constant is the “sure” way this ship can meet the challenges of the day.

Staff, faculty and students have witnessed a decade of ship operations and research, with a very clear trend emerging: Point Sur is more than just a ship. Kara Davis, a Ph.D. student in USM’s School of Ocean Science and Engineering (SOSE), describes the vessel as a place she feels connected to.

“Point Sur is more than just a vessel. It’s a classroom, home and launchpad for lasting connections and shared discovery,” said Davis.

The ship has been an important element in Southern Miss research and graduate education for years. In 2023, the late USM alumnus Chuck Scianna provided a generous donation to support student engagement. Dr. Joris van der Ham, associate director of undergraduate programs for SOSE turned this donation into experiences for USM students through a series of research cruises. He has seen first-hand how time on the ship shapes students.

“These cruises are priceless opportunities for students to experience the northern Gulf environment, get hands-on experience with research techniques and to interact with peers and scientists who study the oceans. This is unique and impactful and really broadens their horizons,” said van der Ham.

Dr. Gordon Cannon, who served as vice president for research at USM in 2015, was instrumental in bringing this ship to the Mississippi coast. Although Southern Miss had strong marine and coastal science programs for a long time, obtaining Point Sur in his view was a “quantum leap” for faculty, students and researchers. Cannon, who received a signed artist’s rendering of the ship upon retirement, counts the achievement among the high points of his administrative career.

“Having easy access to our own research vessel, a floating laboratory that is considered world-class by the ocean science community, facilitates our scientists’ ability to think big,” said Cannon. “The experience of being part of the team that operates a research vessel and working side by side with national and international collaborators strengthens our students’ opportunities when they graduate from USM to pursue their own careers in marine and coastal science research.”

For the past three years, Grace Fulton has served as the ship’s marine technician, a critical role that bridges scientists and crew in shared purpose in science. The position requires people skills, technical acumen and the ability to adapt and learn.

“Point Sur is where I started my career, where I met so many important people in my life, where I've learned what kind of sailor I want to be and what it means to be a part of such an amazing team,” said Fulton. “If you visit us for a 30-minute tour or sail with us for 21 days, I hope any guest can feel the same sense of community on the vessel that I do. I wouldn't trade these past three years on this ship for anything.”

Throughout its service life, Point Sur has supported ocean research along all U.S. coasts and traveled as far south as Antarctica. The 135-foot ship accommodates 16 researchers and technicians and a crew of eight while housing a 1,110-square-foot deck that includes a primary and wet laboratory.

As Davis reflected, “The ship is also a memory keeper where I learned science isn’t just in the samples, it’s in the moments in between stations, the stories shared over late-night shifts and the quiet awe of open water.”

USM is grateful for the front-row view of the ocean that Point Sur has provided for the past decade and excited for how it has positioned the university to take on the next decade of research and discovery in the Gulf.

Click here to learn more about the R/V Point Sur.