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Research Vessels

R/V Point Sur

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Onboard R/V Point Sur

Captain – Nicholas Allen

In February 2015, The University of Southern Mississippi purchased the R/V Point Sur research vessel from San Jose State University through a $1 million grant provided by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.

Built in 1980, the 135—foot—long vessel 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. For day cruises, the R/V Point Sur has a capacity of 40 researchers. The vessel sports a cruising speed of 9.5 knots and a range of 6,800 nautical miles at 10 knots.

R/V Point Sur vessel

R/V Point Sur Specifications

DESCRIPTION OF VESSEL

  • BUILT:  1980
  • LENGTH (LOA):  135 feet
  • BEAM (extreme):  32 feet
  • DRAFT (max):  9 feet
  • GROSS TONNAGE:  298 tons
  • DISPLACEMENT (L tons):  539, full load
  • COMMUNICATIONS:  VHF (4), Iridium Phone, VOIP Phone
  • CALL SIGN:  WDI6566
  • STATE ID #: MI-4648-BW
  • CLASSIFICATION:
  • American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Certification of Classification #8123440
  • ABS Load line certification: 8123440-1959169-001
  • OWNERSHIP:  University of Southern Mississippi
  • OPERATING AGREEMENT:  Cooperative Agreement between University of Southern Mississippi and Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium.

COMPLIMENT

  • CREW:  7
  • TECHNICIANS:  1 or 2 (dependent on number of technicians required)
  • SCIENTIFIC PERSONNEL:  16 (dependent on number of technicians sailing)
  • 40 scientist capacity on day cruises, limited by number of lifejackets

PROPULSION AND SERVICE EQUIPMENT

  • MAIN ENGINES:  Two Caterpillar 379TA marine diesel, 565 hp each Fernholt & Giertsen Reduction gear, Ratio 3.7:1
  • PROPELLERS:  Two, four blade controllable pitch
  • SHIP’S SERVICE GENERATOR:  Two at 175 KW each
  • FUEL CAPACITY:  29,000 gallons, No. 2 diesel
  • ELECTRIC POWER:  Two 175 KW, 440V,60cy., 3ph Kato Generator, Diesel Caterpillar 3406 engine

SPEED

  • CRUISING:  9.5 knots
  • FULL:  11 knots
  • MINIMUM:  0.1 knots
  • ENDURANCE:  21 days, limited by stores
  • RANGE:  6,800 NM at 10 Knots

GENERAL CAPACITIES

  • POTABLE WATER:  1452 gallons
  • WASH WATER:  4448 gallons
  • MSD:  Omnipure 8MC - 1800 gallons/day
  • HOLDING TANK:  1888 gallons
  • WATER MAKER: Reverse Osmosis 800 gallons/day

SCIENCE SPACES

  • MAIN LABORATORY:  488 sq. ft., 2 sinks, equipment benches, (1) 13.5cf chest freezer, (1) 17.85 upright fridge OR freezer, (1) -80 scientific freezer
  • ELECTRONICS LABORATORY:  120 sq. ft.
  • MAINMAST:  Instrument Platform 11’ long, 55' above water line
  • MAIN DECK:  1100 sq. ft.
  • DECK HANDLING EQUIPMENT:
    • Trawl Winch:  Rapp Hydema Trawl holding 3200 meters of 0.680 cond. cable
    • Hydro Winch:  Markey DUSH-5 holding 2600 meters of .322 inch EM cable
    • CTD Winch:  Markey CUBE-6s holding 5000 meters of .322 inch EM cable
    • Deck Crane Aft:  Appleton Crane, SWL 3000 lb @ 34 feet, 6000 lb @ 27 feet
    • Deck Crane Fwd:  Hiab Articulating crane (2800 lb. @ 26 feet)
    • Capstan:  Removable hydraulic
    • Stern A-Frame:   SWL10,000 lbs, ramp width 12', 17' clearance
    • Stbd. Gallows Frame:  SWL 2500 lbs, 11' clearance

COMMUNICATIONS

  • RADIOS:  Marine VHF and SSB
  • SATELLITE TELEPHONES: Iridium and VOIP
  • CELLULAR TELEPHONES: Signal booster system throughout vessel to aid in use of personal cell phones
  • INTERNET/EMAIL: Realtime Internet and Email via Rignet (2048 kbps down/1024 kbps upload)
  • GMDSS: Distress signaling via VHF, SSB and two INMARSAT C units

INSTALLED SCIENTIFIC EQUIPMENT

  • ADCP  
    • R. D. Instruments 75 kHz Vessel Mounted.
    • R. D. Instruments 300 kHz Vessel Mounted.
  • Echosounder
    • Knudsen dual frequency echosounder, 12 and 3.5 kHz.
  • CTD/Rosettes      
    • Two 12-place Sea Bird 9/11 plus systems with sensor suites.
  • Data Acquisition System
    • Data acquisition system samples and logs data from meteorological sensors, thermosalinograph, fluorometer, transmissometer and GPS. Scientific Computer Systems (SCS)
  • UPS   
    • 7 kVA UPS, supplies clean and backup power to lab.

To schedule a cruise on the R/V Point Sur, please contact:

Joe Malbrough, LUMCON
jmalbrough@lumcon.eduOffice:985-851-2808

Photo credit: nps.edu

Contact Us

Gulf Coast Research Laboratory

Physical Addresses

Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
703 East Beach Drive
Ocean Springs, MS 39564

Marine Research Center
1030 30th Avenue
Gulfport, MS 39501

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