According to an article published by The Register-Guard, Oregon State University has received $108.12 million from the National Science Foundation to manage the construction of a third research ship.
OSU to spearhead the project
In 2013, the science foundation selected OSU to lead the initial design for as many as three new ships. The National Science Board authorized up to $365 million for the project. OSU selected Gulf Island Shipyards of Houma, La., to construct the first vessel, which OSU will operate; the research vessel Taani will operate primarily in the Pacific Ocean, according to the news release.
Operating institution to be finalized
The foundation has not yet chosen an operating institution for the third ship, although it will be targeted to work in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean and the southeast Atlantic. Gulf Island Shipyards will build all three vessels. Construction is scheduled to begin in November 2019 and be complete in July 2022.
Trials to be completed
Demian Bailey, project co-manager for OSU, said the first ship is scheduled to be delivered to Oregon State in the summer of 2021 and will require a year of outfitting and testing before becoming fully operational. The keel-laying ceremony for the first vessel took place last November.
The second ship is scheduled for delivery to Oregon State in January 2022 for similar outfitting before transitioning to the University of Rhode Island.
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Source: TheRegister-Guard
