Burger Boat Company launched the Arcticus, a 78' research vessel for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), on Aug. 29.
The Arcticus will replace the 38-year-old Grayling and update the USGS Great Lakes Science Center (GLSC) large vessel fleet. The Arcticus will be stationed at the USGS base in Cheboygan, Mich., and will incorporate modern marine standards and state-of-the-art technology to more safely and effectively conduct fisheries research.
The Arcticus was designed and constructed for a 40-to-50 year service life and will be capable of performing critical scientific and mission-related tasks including trawling, gill netting and using sound-waves to detect fish and assess their abundance. JMS Naval Architects, Mystic, Conn., developed the preliminary design of the Arcticus.
For over 50 years the USGS GLSC has operated a unique and valuable deepwater fish ecology and assessment program that is the foundation for fisheries management throughout the Great Lakes.
