The OCEANUS operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the WECOMA, operated by Oregon State University and the ENDEAVOR, operated by the University of Rhode Island are NSF-owned, sister ships devoted to the support of ocean science research. These 177 foot research vessels, built in the mid 1970s, are approaching the time for their mid-life refits. This project will conduct an engineering design study of the feasibility and costs of operating improvements and science support upgrades in preparation for mid-life refits of these three ships. The project is under the direction of Joseph L.Coburn, Jr., Marine Operations Manager, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. The naval architectural firm of Rodney E. Lay & Associates of Jacksonville, Florida will conduct the study.
