All American Marine (AAM) recently launched the 52'x19' research vessel Gannet for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The vessel will operate in NOAA's Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary (GRNMS). GRNMS is located 19 miles off Sapelo Island, Ga., and is one of 15 marine sanctuaries and monuments that make up the U.S. National Marine Sanctuary System.
The research vessel was built at AAM's facility in Bellingham, Wash.
The semi-displacement aluminum catamaran hull was developed by Nic de Waal of Teknicraft Design, Auckland, New Zealand. The vessel design is based on the recently commissioned research vessel Storm Petrel, built for NOAA’s Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary.
The new boat will navigate inland waterways and offshore ocean routes, accommodating up to 16 passengers and a crew of two.
Powered by twin Cummins QSC8.3 engines with twin propellers, this custom vessel will serve as a valuable asset for NOAA’s specific mission off the Georgia coast. The vessel will host a variety of research missions and visiting scientists concentrating on seafloor mapping, habitat characterization, data collection, and the monitoring of the health of ocean species and marine wildlife.
Onboard the 52' vessel, there is approximately 250 sq. ft. of working space on the aft deck, with a complete complement of working gear and a grid of deck sockets. The deck sockets are spaced every two feet and allow equipment and gear to be secured, moved, or removed from the working deck.
There is a covered flybridge on the upper deck, allowing vessel operations from a higher elevation while conducting research missions. The top deck also features an Interocean conduction wire winch, a hauling winch, and a Morgan 300.4 crane.
The main deck features an adjustable A-Frame for launching scientific equipment. Additional features of the research vessel include both a wet laboratory for examining specimens and a dry laboratory for processing data. On board the vessel’s main deck is a fully equipped galley and comfortable dinette with a settee/bunk, kitchenette, and wet head.
“We are beyond excited to put the RV Gannet to work, and with greater range and deck space, this vessel will transform scientific research and long-term monitoring capabilities at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary and across the South Atlantic Bight by providing an extremely capable, multimission platform for NOAA and our partners,” Stan Rogers, sanctuary superintendent, said in a statement. “All American Marine has built a vessel specifically for our mission requirements, and we can’t wait to begin delivering results.”
