Courtesy of funding from the National Science Foundation, the state-of-the-art oceanographic research vessel R/V Taani has joined the U.S. Academic Research Fleet to operate as a critical component of Oregon State University’s ongoing oceanographic research work.
During the summer of 2017, the NSF awarded OSU a grant of $121.8 million to launch the construction of the lead vessel, representing the largest grant in the university’s history.
Based on a design by Seattle, Wa.-based Glosten Design, the 199.6-foot Regional Class Research Vessel (RCRV) is the first of a trio of nearly identical research ships funded by the NSF for construction at Bollinger Shipyards’ Houma, La. facility.
Bollinger took over the construction contract for the ships when the company acquired the Shipyard Division of Gulf Island Fabrication in 2021, while naval architecture and marine engineering firm Glosten was brought on board to develop the contract design and provide support throughout their construction.
As a class, the RCRVs “will be available to supply researchers with real-time data from a wide array of scientific missions in a changing coastal environment,” according to the NSF.
“By increasing mission flexibility, the Regional Class will serve a broad range of users and will be ideal platforms for science, education, and training. The RCRVs will be equipped with advanced sensors and ocean instrumentation, sample collection systems, integrated mid and shallow-water acoustic multibeam bottom mapping, and a large aft deck for multidisciplinary operations,” the Foundation said.
Equipped to conduct detailed seafloor mapping and routinely send streams of sensor data to shore via satellite, Taani can accommodate 16 scientists and 13 crew members.
With a range of 6,600 miles at a maximum speed of 12 knots, the ship can remain at sea for up to 21 days.
The RCVR is powered by Siemens Blue Drive PLUSC diesel-electric propulsion (DEP) system, which generates a maximum power of 871bkW at 1,800 rpm.
The propulsion system integrates a pair of identical azimuthing twin propeller z-drive thrusters, and two bow thrusters, including a retractable azimuth thruster and a shallow draft azimuth jet thruster. The ship is also fitted with two water-cooled electric propulsion motors, each with a rated power output of 650 kW at 1,200 rpm.
Taani is equipped with a suite of over-the-side handling equipment including an articulated A-frame aft, main crane capable of reaching the entire aft deck, CTD launch and recovery system (LARS), below deck oceanographic traction winch and a hydrographic winch located on the 01 Deck. The vessel is also equipped with a portable crane, portable winch, and a portable side A-frame.
The vessel is outfitted with a suite of sonars including multi-beam, ADCP, and fisheries versions. To support acoustically sensitive instruments and missions and increase habitability, the vessel has been designed to minimize underwater and airborne noise.
Taani, which means ‘offshore’ in the language of the Siletz people of the Pacific Northwest, will replace R/V Oceanus, which was operated by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution until it was transferred to OSU in 2012 to replace its Wecoma research vessel.
When completed, the other vessels in the class – Gilbert R. Mason and Narragansett Dawn – will be based, respectively, on the Gulf of Mexico and managed by the Gulf-Caribbean Oceanographic Consortium and on the East Coast by the Oceanographic Consortium led by the University of Rhode Island. •