Small Boats

Welcome to The Marine Ops Small Boat Program

The Marine Ops Small Boat Program currently maintains and operates seven small research vessels. Our goal is to provide safe, reliable and readily available access to the sea for OSU researchers and research collaborators.

Three people sit in the back of a small boat on the ocean.

New Boaters

Learn how you can gain approval to use small boats for educational and academic purposes.

A small fiberglass boat with a soft cabin cover is being tied to a pier by a person in a lifevest.

Current Boaters

Resources for current OSU Operators already on file with the Boating Safety Program.

A smaller motor boat in the water near a long pier. People with orange lifevests stand near the back of the boat.

Choosing a Boat

The OSU Small Boat Program can help you find the platform that best suits your needs.

A group of people on a life raft in a pool.

Training & Resources

Training is required for all OSU vessel operators working offshore or in open water conditions

A "wear it" logo showing an orange life jacket and a blue background.

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)

OSU personnel using small motorized or non-motorized vessels for research must wear an appropriate PFD at all times while on the water.