RV Atlantis is a Thomas G. Thompson-class oceanographic research ship, owned by the US Navy and operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution as part of the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) fleet.[1] She is the host vessel of DSV Alvin.[2] She is named for the first research vessel operated by WHOI, the sailboat RV Atlantis, for which the Space Shuttle Atlantis is also named.

Quick Facts History, United States ...
Thumb
History
United States
NameAtlantis
OwnerLeased to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
BuilderHalter Marine Inc., Gulfport, Mississippi
Laid down16 August 1994
Launched1 February 1996
AcquiredBy the U.S. Navy, 25 February 1998, as RV Atlantis (AGOR-25)
In serviceFebruary 1998 by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution under charter for the Office of Naval Research
RefitIn 1997, as a support ship for the U.S. Navy Deep Submergence Vehicle Alvin
Identification
NotesIn service
General characteristics
TypeThomas G. Thompson-class oceanographic research ship
Tonnage3,180 gt; 1,332 dwt
Length273.2 ft. 9  in. (83.2 m)
Beam52.5 ft. (16 m)
Draft19 feet (5.8 m)
Installed powerDiesel Generators: Three 1500 kW, Three 715 kW 600 VAC.
PropulsionDiesel-electric, azimuthing stern thrusters - 3000 HP per thruster, Bow Thruster: Azimuthing jet 1,180 SHP
Speed11 knots (20 km/h)
Range17,280 NM
Endurance60 days
Boats & landing
craft carried
Two rigid-hull inflatable rescue/work boats
CapacityFuel Capacity: 267,540 US gallons (1,012,700 L)
Complement22 Civilian Mariners; 24 Scientists; 12 Deep Submergence Operations Group (Alvin); 2 SSSG Techs.
Sensors and
processing systems
As installed on Atlantis, the SeaBeam 2100/12 system consists of underhull projectors and diver-replaceable hydrophones, a single 19" electronics rack, an operator's workstation and peripherals.
Close

Construction

Thumb
RV Atlantis docked in Gulfport, Mississippi on a foggy winter day in 2020

Atlantis was built by Halter Marine Inc., Gulfport, Mississippi.[3] She was laid down in August 1994 and launched in February 1996.[4] She was delivered to the U.S. Navy on 25 February 1998, as RV Atlantis (AGOR-25) a Thomas G. Thompson-class oceanographic research ship.

Atlantis completed a year long midlife maintenance and refit at Dakota Creek Shipyard in July 2021.[5]

Deck equipment

  • Winches
    • Traction – 30,000' .68" EM or 9/16" wire
    • Hydro – 33,000' 3-cond. EM or 1/4" wire
  • Heavy Equipment
    • Cranes – two @ 42,000 lbs. cap
    • HIAB cranes (2)
    • Midships hydro boom

Miscellaneous on-board equipment

  • Laboratories: 3,517 square feet (326.7 m2)
  • Portable Van Space: At least six 20 ft (6.1 m). vans
  • Sewage System: Envirovac flushing system

Sister ships

The Atlantis and three other research ships were all built to the same basic design. The three sister ships are RV Thomas G. Thompson (UW), RV Roger Revelle (Scripps) and NOAAS Ronald H. Brown (NOAA).

Notable expeditions and events

In 2022, Atlantis was involved in the rescue of 13 people off the coast of North Carolina.[6] The fishing vessel Tremont sent a mayday at 0200 on October 28 following the collision with the container ship MSC Rita.[7] Atlantis as well as the motor vessel Drystan and assistance from the United States Coast Guard rescued the crew later that morning.

References

Wikiwand in your browser!

Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.

Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.

Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.