Nathaniel B. Palmer is an icebreaking research vessel (RVIB) owned by Offshore Service Vessels LLC, operated by Edison Chouest Offshore, Inc. and chartered by the United States National Science Foundation. Nathaniel B. Palmer is tasked with extended scientific missions in the Antarctic.[2][3] Nathaniel B. Palmer was purpose-built for and delivered to the NSF by Edison Chouest Offshore's North American Shipbuilding facility in 1992. Nathaniel B. Palmer is able to support up to two helicopters, accommodates up to 45 science and technical personnel, has a crew of 22 and is capable of missions lasting up to 65 days. The vessel is named after merchant mariner and ship builder Nathaniel Brown Palmer, credited by some historians as the first American to see Antarctica.[2]
 Icebreaker Nathaniel B. Palmer, serving the National Science Foundation.
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Namesake | Nathaniel Palmer |
| Owner | Offshore Service Vessels LLC |
| Operator | Lockheed Martin Antarctic Support Contract |
| Builder | North American Shipbuilding Company |
| Yard number | 137[1] |
| Launched | 1992 |
| In service | 1992 |
| Homeport | Punta Arenas, Patagonia |
| Identification |
|
| Status | In service |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Research vessel |
| Tonnage | 6,174 GT |
| Length | 94 m (308 ft) |
| Beam | 18.3 m (60 ft) |
| Height | NDL[clarification needed] |
| Draft | 6.8 m (22 ft) |
| Depth | 9.1 m (30 ft) |
| Ice class | ABS A2 |
| Installed power | 4 × Caterpillar 3608 |
| Propulsion |
|
| Endurance | 65 days |
| Complement | 67 |
| Crew | 22 |
| Aircraft carried | helicopter |
In February 2020, researchers aboard the vessel with the international Thwaites Glacier Offshore Research (THOR) project discovered Sif Island, located in Pine Island Bay of the Amundsen Sea, in Antarctica.[4][5]
Gallery
edit-
Nathaniel B. Palmer -
References
edit- ^ a b c "Coast Guard Vessel Documentation". Vessel Documentation Search. NOAA Office of Science and Technology National Marine Fisheries Service. 2004-06-30. Archived from the original on 2012-12-13. Retrieved 2012-12-15.
Hull Number: 137
- ^ a b "R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer". National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs. National Science Foundation. 2012. Archived from the original on 2013-02-01. Retrieved 2012-12-15.
In 1992, Edison Chouest Offshore Inc., Galliano, Louisiana, built and delivered a 94-meter research ship with icebreaking capability for use by the U.S. Antarctic Program for 10 years or more.
- ^ "Raytheon Polar Services Company" (PDF). Raytheon Company. 2002. RPS-02-010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-06-30. Retrieved 2015-06-04.
Research vessels: Laurence M. Gould and the Nathaniel B. Palmer
- ^ Specktor, Brandon (February 28, 2020). "Melting ice in Antarctica reveals new uncharted island". Live Science. Archived from the original on February 29, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
- ^ Giuliana, Viglione (February 21, 2020). "New Antarctic island spotted as mammoth glacier retreats". Nature. 578 (501): 501. Bibcode:2020Natur.578..501V. doi:10.1038/d41586-020-00489-4. PMID 32099127.
External links
edit- R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer's current position
- United States Antarctic Program Vessel Science and Operations
- USAP Research Vessels news in The Antarctic Sun
- Lockheed Martin Antarctic Support Contract
 | This article about a specific civilian ship or boat is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |