(SEATTLE) — King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia has selected Glosten to design a new 164-foot vessel that will support scientific research in the Middle East. The vessel will replace its namesake, the 22-year-old R/V Thuwal, expanding its size and capabilities in the areas of geoscience, bioscience, marine science and oceanographic research.
Thuwal II will be designed for operation in the shallow reef and deepwater environments of the Red Sea and surrounding waters with weather-safe characteristics that will help it handle harsh conditions. The new vessel will be used for a broad range of scientific missions and have a reconfigurable deck to accommodate multipurpose jobs and equipment, including a sampling system that will reach depths of nearly 10,000 feet.
“Our team is excited to bring this new level of research vessel capability to the Red Sea region,” said Ken FitzGerald, Glosten principal. “Optimizing a vessel for KAUST for the specific conditions of the operating area and science research needs requires a high level of engagement between our engineers and the KAUST team. This is when we are at our best.”
In addition to providing the design, Glosten will provide shipyard tendering support and oversee construction through vessel delivery.
– Glosten