USA: Everything Ready for the Launch of Research Vessel Sikuliaq

Marinette Marine Corporation will on Oct. 13, 2012, hold a christening and launching ceremony for the Research Vessel Sikuliaq. This 261-foot oceanographic research ship, formerly known as the Alaska Region Research Vessel, will be owned by the National Science Foundation and operated by UAF.

The name of the vessel, Sikuliaq, is pronounced [see-KOO-lee-auk] and is an Inupiaq word meaning “young sea ice.”

When complete, the vessel will be one of the most advanced university research vessels in the world and will be able to break ice up to 2.5 feet thick. The Sikuliaq will be home ported in Alaska, at UAF’s Seward Marine Center in Seward. The vessel will be owned by the National Science Foundation and operated by the University of Alaska Fairbanks, as part of the U.S. academic research fleet. It will be used by scientists in the U.S. and international oceanographic community through the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System.

Research Vessel Sikuliaq will replace the more than 40-year old R/V Alpha Helix that is now retired and was owned by the National Science Foundation.

General Characteristics:

Length, Overall LOA 261 feet

Length, Design Waterline LWL 237 feet 0 inches

Beam, Max across reamer Bmax 52 feet

Beam, Max across hull amidship Bmidship 48 feet

Depth, Keel to Main Deck D 28 feet

Draft, Design Waterline TDWL 18 feet 9 inches

Freeboard, Design Waterline FDWL 8 feet 9 inches

Displacement at Design Waterline 3,665 long tons

Propulsion Power P 5,750 BHP

[mappress]

Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, October 10, 2012; Image: sfos.uaf