Our new research vessel (boat) arrived yesterday. Pretty cool!

The 28-foot fiberglass boat was specially designed for rapid surveys of shallow water environments. It is powered with twin Yamaha 250 hp outboards. When it is all fitted out, it will have an air conditioned cabin, a davit for lowering instruments over the side and lots of other bells and whistles.

One really neat system that makes it an actual “research vessel,” rather than just another fishing boat, is a flow-through water system with chemical sensors and GPS. Essentially, it will allow the new vessel to cruise around the inshore waters and while getting a constant reading of water temperature, depth and salinity. That data will be linked to the GPS system to create a data map of whatever area the scientists are studying. Imagine that!

The new R/V is still nameless, but not for long.