Sonardyne’s underwater positioning and tracking equipment has been selected for three new US Regional Class Research Vessels.
The three vessels — R/V Taani, R/V Narragansett Dawn and the R/V Gilbert R. Mason — are being constructed under the Oregon State University-led US National Science Foundation program.
The new ships are intended to renew and expand the US Academic Research Fleet, as well as support coastal and regional marine science across varied environments. The vessels will have Sonardyne’s Ranger 2 Gyro USBL 7000 installed. This will allow the vessel to participate in precision tracking and two-way communication with multiple underwater instruments, vehicles and towed platforms at ranges up to 10,000 meters (32,808 feet), depending on configuration.
The first Ranger 2 unit has already been installed on the R/V Taani.
The installation of the new equipment is expected to massively increase and update the nation’s academic research capabilities and improve our ability to study a wide range of disciplines.
According to James Caison, a design specialist at OSU who is currently working on the RCRV program:
“The RCRV construction program represents a significant enhancement to the US Academic Research Fleet. These vessels will empower researchers to address critical questions in climate, ecology, and ocean dynamics across the Pacific coast, east coast, and Gulf of Mexico.”
While Sonardyne Technical Sales Manager Kim Swords added:
“The RCRV construction programme represents a significant enhancement to the US Academic Research Fleet. This order is an endorsement of the precision and reliability delivered by our Ranger 2 USBL systems. It reinforces Sonardyne’s position as a trusted provider of high-performance acoustic positioning technologies for the US marine science and research community.”
Here is more information about Regional Class Research Vessels.
You can check out a video of one of the ships under construction below.
