XV\. Oceanography - Government

Section XV outlines plans for United States Antarctic Program sponsored
oceanographic expeditions during the 2004-2005 season.

# *R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer*

The *R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer* first arrived in the Antarctic Peninsula
area in April 1992 and is now in the fourth year of its second long-term
charter to the United States Antarctic Program. The vessel is owned by
Edison Chouest Offshore and is of United States Registry. The *R/V
Nathaniel B. Palmer* is ice-class ABS A2 (capable of breaking 3 feet of
ice at 3 Knots), is 93.9 meters long, has a beam of 18.3 meters, a
design draught of 6.9 meters, and displaces 6800 long tons. The vessel
has 13,000 shaft horsepower driving two controllable pitch propellers
and is also equipped with both bow and stern thrusters. The vessel is a
multidisciplinary research platform, has a crew of 26 and accommodation
for 41 scientists and RPSC support staff. It is designed for year-round
operations in Polar Regions.

## Research Capabilities

The vessel is equipped with a Seapath GPS and inertial navigation
system, a P-Code GPS satellite navigation system, fish-finding sonar,
sub-bottom profiling sonars, a Simrad multi-beam swath bathymetry
system, INMARSAT and Iridium voice and data communications, TeraScan
satellite imaging system, and HF and VHF transceivers. The vessel is
also equipped with a DP0(zero)-rated dynamic positioning system. Two
deep-sea trawl and coring winches and two hydrographic winches are
operated through stern and starboard A-frames, respectively. An
additional hydrographic winch, equipped with electromechanical cable,
leads through a baltic-room arrangement that protects it from the
weather. The vessel is also equipped with multi-channel seismic
capability and laboratory space totaling approximately 520 square
meters, all located contiguously on the main deck. The vessel also has a
suite of portable lab vans. Zodiac inflatable boats are available for
ship-to-shore transport and sample collection.

**Ship's Master:** Captain Mike Watson

## Scientific Programs in the Antarctic Treaty Area

The *R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer* will conduct cruises in the Southern Ocean
surrounding Antarctica; both a north and southbound research transect
between Punta Arenas, Chile and San Diego, California. In early 2005, a
group of USAP grantees will sail on the first NBP cruise to collect
sediment cores via a shipboard drill rig mounted over the vessel's moon
pool. Scientific research conducted onboard includes the following
disciplines: Marine Biology, Marine Geology and Geophysics, and Physical
and Chemical Oceanography.

## Intended Tracks and Schedule

The vessel is scheduled for work in the Antarctic polar regions as well
as in the mid-latitudes of the Pacific Ocean during the 2004-2005
season, including the Pacific and Southern Oceans and Ross Sea. Ports of
call include: Lyttelton, New Zealand; McMurdo Station, Antarctica; Punta
Arenas, Chile, and San Diego, California. The NBP will sail in support
of approximately six science cruises during the 2004-2005 season.

# *R/V Laurence M. Gould*

The *R/V Laurence M. Gould* first arrived in the Antarctic Peninsula in
January 1998. The vessel is owned by Edison Chouest Offshore and is of
United States Registry. The vessel is on long-term charter to support
the United States Antarctic Program. The *R/V Laurence M. Gould* is
ice-class ABS A1 (capable of breaking 1 foot of ice at continuous
forward motion), is 70.1 meters long, has a beam of 14.02 meters, a
design draught of 5.48 meters and displaces 3780 long tons. The vessel
has 4,575 shaft horsepower driving two controllable pitch propellers and
is also equipped with a bow thruster. The vessel is a multidisciplinary
research platform with a crew of 16 and accommodation for 28 scientists
and RPSC staff. It is designed for year-round operations in polar
regions.

## Research Capabilities

The vessel is equipped with a P-Code GPS satellite precision navigation
system, fish-finding sonar, sub-bottom profiling sonar, INMARSAT and
Iridium voice and data communications and HF and VHF transceivers. A
deep-sea trawl winch and two hydrographic winches are to be operated
through either a stern or starboard side A-frame. One hydrographic
winch, equipped with electromechanical cable, leads through a
baltic-room arrangement that protects it from the weather. Various
over-the-side sampling equipment will be handled through use of an
articulated Hiab crane on the ship's fantail. In addition, the vessel is
equipped with laboratories totaling 99 square meters and an additional
27 square meters in portable laboratory vans. A 22-foot aluminum landing
craft and Zodiacs inflatable boats are available for ship-to-shore
transport and sample collection.

**Ship's Master:** Captain Mike Terminel

## Scientific Programs in the Antarctic Treaty Area

The *R/V Laurence M. Gould* will conduct cruises in the Antarctic
Peninsula area of the Southern Ocean and Drake Passage. Research
projects supported during the 2004-2005 season will include Marine
Biology, Chemical and Physical Oceanography, and Marine Geology and
Geophysics. The *R/V Laurence M. Gould* will also provide logistics
support to transport scientists, cargo, and personnel to and from Palmer
Station from its primary port of Punta Arenas, Chile.

## Intended Tracks and Schedule

The *R/V Laurence M. Gould* will provide transport as described above
and provide oceanographic and field camp research support in and around
the Bransfield Strait area of the Antarctic Peninsula. Ports of call
include: Punta Arenas, Chile; Palmer Station, Antarctica; and San Diego,
California. The vessel will sail in support of eight science cruises,
two peninsula research field camp openings and Palmer Station staff and
resupply shuttles in the Antarctic Peninsula area during the 2004-2005
season. In addition, the LMG will sail to San Diego, California in July
of 2005 to transport hazardous waste from Palmer Station.