Office of Naval Research (ONR) revealed that a West Coast-based shipyard has been awarded $70 million for the construction of the second of two modern oceanographic research vessels.
Following a previously awarded contract for AGOR 27, the first of the two new research vessels, Dakota Creek Industries Inc. of Anacortes, Wash., will initiate the design and construction work on the Ocean-class Auxiliary General Oceanographic Research (AGOR) vessel 28.
The 238-feet AGOR 27 and AGOR 28 are single-hull vessels featuring latest technologies. Salient features incorporate high-efficiency diesel engines, emissions controls for stack gasses, new information technology tools both for monitoring shipboard systems and for communicating with the world and hull coatings to reduce maintenance requirements. Both vessels will provide the accommodation capacity for 20 crew members and for 24 scientists.
Delivery of vessels is expected in late 2014 and early 2015. They will be delivered to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and to Scripps Institution of Oceanography, thus further research efforts currently being undertaken in the Atlantic, western Pacific and Indian Ocean regions will be enhanced.
[mappress] World Maritime News Staff, February 10, 2012; Image: GPA