RV Atlantis is a Thomas G. Thompson-class oceanographic research ship, owned by the US Navy and operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution as part of the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) fleet.[1] She is the host vessel of DSV Alvin.[2] She is named for the first research vessel operated by WHOI, the sailboat RV Atlantis, for which the Space Shuttle Atlantis is also named.
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | Atlantis |
| Owner | Leased to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution |
| Builder | Halter Marine Inc., Gulfport, Mississippi |
| Laid down | 16 August 1994 |
| Launched | 1 February 1996 |
| Acquired | By the U.S. Navy, 25 February 1998, as RV Atlantis (AGOR-25) |
| In service | February 1998 by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution under charter for the Office of Naval Research |
| Refit | In 1997, as a support ship for the U.S. Navy Deep Submergence Vehicle Alvin |
| Identification |
|
| Notes | In service |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Thomas G. Thompson-class oceanographic research ship |
| Tonnage | 3,180 gt; 1,332 dwt |
| Length | 273.2 ft. 9 in. (83.2 m) |
| Beam | 52.5 ft. (16 m) |
| Draft | 19 feet (5.8 m) |
| Installed power | Diesel Generators: Three 1500 kW, Three 715 kW 600 VAC. |
| Propulsion | Diesel-electric, azimuthing stern thrusters - 3000 HP per thruster, Bow Thruster: Azimuthing jet 1,180 SHP |
| Speed | 11 knots (20 km/h) |
| Range | 17,280 NM |
| Endurance | 60 days |
| Boats & landing craft carried | Two rigid-hull inflatable rescue/work boats |
| Capacity | Fuel Capacity: 267,540 US gallons (1,012,700 L) |
| Complement | 22 Civilian Mariners; 24 Scientists; 12 Deep Submergence Operations Group (Alvin); 2 SSSG Techs. |
| Sensors and processing systems | As installed on Atlantis, the SeaBeam 2100/12 system consists of underhull projectors and diver-replaceable hydrophones, a single 19" electronics rack, an operator's workstation and peripherals. |
Construction
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Atlantis was built by Halter Marine Inc., Gulfport, Mississippi.[3] She was laid down in August 1994 and launched in February 1996.[4] She was delivered to the U.S. Navy on 25 February 1998, as RV Atlantis (AGOR-25) a Thomas G. Thompson-class oceanographic research ship.
Atlantis completed a year long midlife maintenance and refit at Dakota Creek Shipyard in July 2021.[5]
Deck equipment
edit- Winches
- Traction – 30,000' .68" EM or 9/16" wire
- Hydro – 33,000' 3-cond. EM or 1/4" wire
- Heavy Equipment
- Cranes – two @ 42,000 lbs. cap
- HIAB cranes (2)
- Midships hydro boom
Miscellaneous on-board equipment
edit- Laboratories: 3,517 square feet (326.7 m2)
- Portable Van Space: At least six 20 ft (6.1 m). vans
- Sewage System: Envirovac flushing system
Sister ships
editThe Atlantis and three other research ships were all built to the same basic design. The three sister ships are RV Thomas G. Thompson (UW), RV Roger Revelle (Scripps) and NOAAS Ronald H. Brown (NOAA).
Notable expeditions and events
editIn 2022, Atlantis was involved in the rescue of 13 people off the coast of North Carolina.[6] The fishing vessel Tremont sent a mayday at 0200 on October 28 following the collision with the container ship MSC Rita.[7] Atlantis as well as the motor vessel Drystan and assistance from the United States Coast Guard rescued the crew later that morning.
References
edit- ^ University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System: UNOLS Vessels Archived 2011-09-29 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Research Vessel Atlantis". NOAA. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
- ^ Woods Hole Currents. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. 1996.
- ^ UNOLS News. UNOLS Office, School of Oceanography, University of Washington. 1995.
- ^ "UNOLS RVOC Meeting" (PDF). University-National Oceanographic Laboratory. 2019.
- ^ Sennott, Will (2022-11-02). "13, including a child, rescued from sinking New Bedford fishing vessel". The New Bedford Light. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
- ^ Cote, Jackson (29 Oct 2022). "Virginia Coast Guard rescue: Mass. vessel helps save 12 from sinking boat". MASS Live. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
External links
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