La. shipyard to build RCRV

Gulf Island Shipyards of Houma, La., will build the first in a new series of regional-class oceanographic research vessels (RCRVs) for Oregon State University through funding from a $121.88 million grant from the National Science Foundation. The 193-foot x 41-foot vessel will be the first of three planned for the Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts. NSF chose OSU in 2013 to be the lead institution on the project for planning and selecting a shipyard. When the next two ships are funded, the total grant could increase to as much as $365 million. NSF will begin competitive selections of institutions or research consortiums later this year to operate the second and third vessels. The ships are an addition to the aging U.S. Academic Research Fleet. The next-generation class will include capabilities for detailed seafloor mapping. (Source: Work Boat 07/21/17) Gulf Island Shipyards have other ship-building facilities in Dularge, Jennings and Lake Charles, La.