NOAAS Okeanos Explorer
NOAAS Okeanos Explorer (R 337) is a converted United States Navy ship (formerly USNS Capable (T-AGOS-16)), now an exploratory vessel for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), officially launched in 2010. Starting in 2010, NOAA entered into a five-year partnership with the San Francisco Exploratorium. The focus is on gathering scientific information about oceans for the public as well as for scientific uses. As much as 95% of the ocean remains unexplored, NOAA officials said. The ship is equipped with cameras and will provide real-time viewing of the ocean floor for scientists and for the public.
Okeanos Explorer at sea (with satellite dome before it was shortened in 2011) | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| United States | |
| Name | USNS Capable (T-AGOS-16) |
| Awarded | 20 February 1987 |
| Builder | Halter Marine |
| Laid down | 17 October 1987 |
| Launched | 28 October 1988 |
| In service | 9 June 1989 |
| Out of service | 14 September 2004 |
| Fate | Transferred to NOAA |
| United States | |
| Name | Okeanos Explorer |
| Commissioned | 13 August 2008 |
| In service | 2010 - present |
| Homeport | Newport, Rhode Island |
| Identification |
|
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Stalwart-class ocean Surveillance Ship |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | 224 ft (68 m) |
| Beam | 43 ft (13 m) |
| Draft | 17 ft (5.2 m) |
| Propulsion | 4 × Caterpillar D398 diesels, 3,200 hp; GE motors, 2 × 800 hp; 2 × 250 hp stern thrusters; 1 × 500 hp bow thruster |
| Speed | 10 knots (19 km/h) |
| Range | 9,600 nautical miles (18,000 km) |
| Endurance | 40 days |
| Complement | 7 commissioned officers, 3 licensed engineers, 17 crew, 22 scientists |
This is a pioneering use of what NOAA calls "telepresence technology". The Okeanos Explorer is the only vessel owned by the U.S. government that is dedicated to exploring the seabed and ocean crust. The ship is named after Okeanos, the Ancient Greek god of the sea, from which also comes the word "ocean".