XV\. Oceanography - Government

Section XV outlines plans for United States Antarctic Program sponsored
oceanographic expeditions during the 2002-2003 season.

# *R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer*

The *R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer* first arrived in the Antarctic Peninsula
area in April 1992. The vessel is owned by Edison Chouest Offshore and
is of United States Registry. The vessel will start its second long-term
charter to support the United States Antarctic Program in April 2002.
The *R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer* is ice-class ABS A2, 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 39 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, a SeaBeam swath
bathymetry system, INMARSAT communications, TeraScan satellite imaging
system, and HF and VHF transceivers. The vessel is also equipped with a
dynamic positioning system. A deep-sea trawl and coring winch and two
hydrographic winches are operated through stern and starboard A-frames.
One 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. Zodiacs are available for ship-to-shore transport and sample
collection.

**Ship's Master:** Captain Joe Borkowski.

## Scientific Programs in the Antarctic Treaty Area

The *R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer* will conduct cruises in the Southern Ocean
surrounding Antarctica, for scientific research in the following
disciplines: Physical and Chemical Oceanography, Marine Geology and
Geophysics, and Marine Biology.

## Intended Tracks and Schedule

The vessel is currently scheduled for work in the Weddell and
Bellingshausen Seas, Bransfield Strait, and Marguerite Bay areas, and to
enter a dry dock period May 25 through July 25 in Talcahuano, Chile.
During this period the Simrad Seatrial and the RVIB Acceptance test will
take place. Ports of call include: Punta Arenas and Talcahuano, Chile;
Lyttelton, New Zealand; and McMurdo Base; and San Diego, CA. The vessel
will perform approximately 9 cruises during the 2002-2003 season. The
vessel is tentatively scheduled to transport hazardous waste from Palmer
Station back to the United States in September 2002.

# *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 will be on long-term charter to
support the United States Antarctic Program. The *R/V Laurence M. Gould*
is ice-class ABS A1, is 70.1 meters long, has a beam of 14.02 meters, a
design draught of 5.48 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
communications and HF and VHF transceivers. A deep sea trawl winch and
two hydro-winches are to be operated through a stern A-frame and
starboard side-hydro davits. 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, it is equipped with laboratories totaling 99
square meters and an additional 27 square meters in portable laboratory
vans. Zodiacs are available for ship-to-shore transport and sample
collection.

**Ship's Master:** Captain Robert Verret

## Scientific Programs in the Antarctic Treaty Area

The *R/V Laurence M. Gould* will support research during 2002-2003
season that includes biological, chemical, and physical oceanography as
well as marine geology and geophysics. The *R/V Laurence M. Gould* will
also provide logistic support to transport scientists, cargo, and
personnel to/from Palmer Station.

## Intended Tracks and Schedule

The *R/V Laurence M. Gould* will transport support personnel to and from
Palmer Station, provide research support in and around the Bransfield
Strait/Marguerite Bay areas, and enter a routine maintenance period and
Dry Dock May 25 through July 1 in Talcahuano, Chile. The vessel will
perform approximately 10 cruises in the Antarctic Peninsula area during
the 2002-2003 season.