R/V Pacific Storm Vessel Specifications

Overview

The R/V Pacific Storm is a steel-hulled vessel built in 1979 as a commercial trawler. The vessel was gifted to MMI in 2004 and was subsequently reconfigured as a research vessel.

The R/V Pacific Storm is a documented vessel and designated as an oceanographic research vessel by the United States Coast Guard (USCG). The vessel operates under the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 46 Subchapter U and completes a safety inspection by the USCG annually. The vessel is of steel construction and is powered by a single main engine and propeller. The home port for the vessel is Newport, OR and it is typically berthed at Port Dock 3 in the North Commercial harbor in Yaquina Bay.

General Specifications

Vessel Name: PACIFIC STORM
Official Number: 7942685 (IMO)
Year Built: 1979
Call Sign: WDC6641
Length over all: 84 ft.
Beam: 24 ft.
Draft: 10 ft.
Displacement: 153 Int’l Gross Tons
Capacity:

  • Up to 21 science party members for trips inside Yaquina Bay or other inland waters (limited by life raft capacity).
  • Up to 15 science party members for trips offshore (limited by survival suits).
  • Up to 7 science party members for overnight cruises.

Endurance:

  • The standard operating range for the vessel stretches from the California/Oregon border to the international Canadian border and offshore to 200 miles. With prior approval and detailed planning, the vessel has completed complex cruises working as far south as Costa Rica and north into the central Bering Sea.
  • The vessel has an endurance of approximately 30 days away from port at full capacity.
  • The vessel typically sails with a crew of three for day trips of 12 hours (h) or less. Additional crew may be required based on the nature of work being conducted. The vessel has berths for up to seven scientists.
  • With appropriate crew, the vessel is capable of supporting 24-h operations at sea. If required by the science party, the vessel can also make arrangements for port calls each night. Food and meals are not provided. For longer cruises arrangements, food preparation may be coordinated with Marine Operations.
  • The vessel’s cruising speed is 8 kts, with a maximum speed of 10 kts.

Machinery:

  • Single, 4-blade stainless propeller
  • Main Engine: 520 BHP Caterpillar 3412 C Diesel Engine
  • Fuel Capacity: 15,500 gal.

Generators:

  • John Deer 70-kilowatt (kW; 110/220VAC 3 phase)
  • Isuzu 30-kW (110/220VAC 3 phase)
  • Bow Thruster: Westmar 18” hydraulic bow thruster
  • Potable Water Capacity: 2,000 gal., can generate 900 gal/day

Communications:

  • Kongsberg Automatic Identification System (AIS) 200
  • Furuno 1935 AIS Radar with 48-mile range
  • Furuno 1832 Radar with 36-mile range
  • Comnav 2000 autopilot with 2 Furuno GP 37 Global Positioning Systems (GPSs)
  • Furuno SC502 satellite compass
  • Furuno FCV-292 600-watt (W) dual-frequency (50/200) echosounder
  • Nobletec NavTrack plotting software
  • Garmin chart plotter
  • Very High Frequency (VHF) Icom radios – multiple available for vessel and auxiliary vessel communications
  • Iridium Satellite Phone
  • Starlink Satellite Internet
  • Garmin inReach Satellite Tracking System
  • Panasonic Bridge Watch Alarm
  • Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras on aft deck, in science lab, lazaret, and engine room, fed to wheelhouse

Overboard Handling Systems:

  • A-frame:
    • Safe Working Load: 10,000 lbs
    • Vertical Clearance: 26 feet (from pad eye with A-frame center over deck)
    • Reach: 21 feet out – 10 feet inward
  • Winches:
    • H-18 PullCaptain: Has a drum capacity of 300 m of 0.250-inch diameter synthetic line (capable of adding various diameters), with a line pull of 18,000 lbs. Located on the upper deck facing aft through the A-frame.
    • PL4 PullCaptain: Has a drum capacity of 75 m of 0.250-inch diameter synthetic line (capable of adding various diameters), with a line pull of 4,000 lbs. Located on the upper deck facing aft through the A-frame.
  • Crane:
    • The vessel is equipped with a 5-ton knuckle marine grade crane used primarily to load/unload the vessel at the dock and re-position deck gear. The crane is also capable of launching auxiliary vessels (i.e., rigid-hulled inflatable boats [RHIBs], maximum weight of 4,500 lbs) while at sea. The crane hydraulics are powered by a 300-horsepower (hp) Cummins in-line 6-cylinder engine driving three hydraulic pumps. The crane has a safe working load (SWL) of 2,250 lbs at 30 feet and is load tested annually.

Deck:

  • The aft deck is covered with “trex” style composite decking suspended above the steel deck, allowing water that sloshes on deck to drain quickly and empty over-board via scuppers, thus providing a largely dry deck environment. Designated areas are provided for the bolting of gear to the deck. The upper deck is of steel construction with space available for securing gear or mounting equipment.
  • A seawater supply outlet (3/4 inch) is located on the starboard aft deck area. This water is provided by an 18-gallon per minute (gpm) pump at 30 pounds per square inch (psi) from an intake located approximately 10 feet below the water line. This water can also be accessible in the science lab for flow-through instrumentation. The use of seawater for rinsing nets or other sampling gear takes place on the aft deck.
  • Observation Platform:
    • The vessel has a large observation platform located on the mast. The observation platform may be used for marine mammal, bird, and meteorological observations, as well as mounting scientific instrumentation. The mast standing area is surrounded by restraining rails and is suitable for up to five observers. It is accessed via a sloped stairway with handrails on the back of the wheelhouse and a second sloped stairway with handrails on top of the wheelhouse. The rail on the observation platform is suitable for mounting a laptop enclosure for recording real-time data if necessary.

Lab Space:

  • A 300 square foot science lab is available with bench space and storage for computers and scientific equipment. Located midway along the centerline of the vessel, the lab is a dedicated instrumentation storage and repair space that is configurable to science party needs. Shelving and work bench space is available. Uninterrupted point-of-use power available. Fresh and saltwater available in stainless steel sink. General use computer with internet access available in lab.

Science Support:

  • Available upon request - SeaBird CTD (SBE911) with 12 Bottle Rosette
  • Flow-Through System – Thermosalinograph
  • Flow through uncontaminated saltwater supply – deck and lab access
  • Compressed Air - Maximum pressure @ 120 psi with the ability to regulate the maximum/minimum pressure settings as requested.
  • Uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs) are available for scientific use although researchers are encouraged to bring their own UPS units to ensure coverage.