RV Wecoma

History
United States
NameWecoma
OwnerNational Science Foundation
OperatorOregon State University College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences
In service1975
Out of service2012
Refit1994
HomeportNewport, Or
Identification
FateDecommissioned and scrapped, 2012
General characteristics
Displacement1150 long tons
Length184.5 ft (56.4 m)
Beam33 ft (10.1 m)
Draft18.5 ft (5.6 m)
PropulsionDiesel, controllable-pitch propeller
Speed12 kn (22 km/h), 14 kn (26 km/h) max
Range7,200 nmi (13,300 km)
Endurance30 days
Capacity60 long ton
Complement13 civilian mariners, 18 scientific party
Armamentnone

RV Wecoma is a research vessel owned by the National Science Foundation and operated by the College of Oceanic & Atmospheric Sciences at Oregon State University (OSU) as a member of the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) fleet.[1] It is based in Newport in the U.S. state of Oregon near OSU's Hatfield Marine Science Center.[2] Launched in 1975, it has a maximum displacement of 1,150 long tons (1,168 t).[2]

The 184.5-foot (56.2 m) ship is equipped with 1,174 square feet (109.1 m2) of laboratory space to support up to 18 scientists at sea. It has a variety of equipment permanently installed, and optional additional equipment available on request, to measure and analyze navigational data; surface atmospheric conditions; sea surface temperature, salinity, fluorescence; bottom depth; dissolved oxygen titration; solar radiation; GPS time; bioacoustics; and geological sampling. The range of depths of submerged equipment varies from 3,000 to 6,000 metres (9,800 to 19,700 ft). The vessel can support diving operations, radioactive isotope materials, and explosive materials.[3]

Wecoma made her last operational cruise November 2011 and was scheduled to be retired with the interim replacement ship being the former Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution operated R/V Oceanus.[4]

References

  1. ^ http://www.shipops.oregonstate.edu/ops/wecoma/cpm.html#Scheduling | Scheduling of R/V WECOMA
  2. ^ a b Learn, Scott (May 8, 2009). "Life aquatic with OSU needs a new research ship". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
  3. ^ "Cruise Planning Manual". October 2006. Retrieved 2008-12-18.
  4. ^ News and Research Communications, Oregon State University (January 17, 2012). "Osu To Retire One Research Vessel, Take Over Operation Of Another". Oregon State University. Retrieved 16 February 2012.

44°37′32″N 124°02′41″W / 44.625679°N 124.044826°W / 44.625679; -124.044826


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