RV Rachel Carson is a research vessel owned and operated by the University of Maryland's Center for Environmental Science, named in honor of the marine biologist and writer Rachel Carson.
The 81-foot aluminum-hulled vessel is an extended and modified Challenger class fast research vessel, designed by marine architect Roger Long.[2] It is equipped with twin 1,200 horsepower diesel engines and water jet drives which give a maximum speed of 24 knots. A dynamic positioning system automatically maintains the vessel's position.[3]
The ship was built by Hike Metal Products of Wheatley, Ontario,[3] at a cost of $4.6 million, and christened by Katie O'Malley on November 16, 2008, at Annapolis.[4]
The Rachel Carson has operated in Chesapeake Bay since early 2009, teaching estuarine sampling techniques, carrying out water quality surveys, plankton collection, box coring operations, and deploying instrument packages.[3]
References
- ^ "Rachel Carson : Specifications and Equipment". University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ^ "Research Vessel Design". JMS Naval Architects & Salvage Engineers. 2012. Archived from the original on 7 January 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ^ a b c "The R/V Rachel Carson". University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ^ "New R/V Rachel Carson Commissioned". Chesapeake Quarterly. 2008. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
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