The Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium will operate the research vessel PELICAN, a 105' general oceanographic vessel constructed in 1985 and the R/V ACADIANA, a 57' research vessel constructed in 1986. Both ships will operate in the Mississippi River and delta region. The R/V PELICAN will also operate in the Gulf of Mexico. These vessels are part of a fleet used by the National Science Foundation to support oceanographic research projects. Most oceanographic research projects require highly specialized equipment and extensive support from a ship's crew members. An increasing number of research projects require equipment that must be permanently installed on a ship and for which the ship must be specifically designed. Such equipment also requires highly trained crew members for maintenance and operation. These vessels do not operate in the same manner as general cargo or fishing vessels, and therefore, NSF supports the operation of a variety of vessels specifically dedicated to oceanographic research. These vessels are operated by universities and research institutions around the country.
