United States Arctic Research Vessels PAPER

Home , Oden (1988 icebreaker), Research vessel

ABSTRACT may adversely affect the environment and Jonathan M. Berkson human health. The Arctic plays a key role in US Coast Guard Recent concerns with poUution and climate global climate change. Simulations of global cli- Washington, DC change in the Arctic have led to new monitor- mate models show greater effect of global warming and research programs that require the sup- George W. DuPree port of arctic research vessels. This paper ing in the Arctic. During the past decade there US Coast Guard reviews the status of U.s. surface and submers- have been reductions in the thickness and extent Washinton, DC ible research platforms with a focus on surface of sea ice, and large changes in the upper and ships. During the Science Ice Expedition (SCI- intermediate layers of the Arctic Ocean CEX) program in the 1990s, u.s. Navy subma- (National Research Council, 1995; Aagaard et rines were successfuUy used as research vessels al, 1999). The advent of global warming would and extensive oceanographic data were col- likely give rise to large increases in shipping lected during under-ice transits. With the and commercial activity along the routes of an decommissioning of the Sturgeon-class subma- Arctic marine transportation system, particu- rines, future under-ice research cruises are larly through the Northern Sea Route along the uncertain and wiU depend on the availability of other ice-capable submarines or the develop- north Russian coast (Mulherin, Sodhi, and ment of high-endurance automous underwa- Smallidge, 1994) and through the Northwest Pas- ter vehicles. For scientific work on surface sage. research vessels the U.S. has two multi-mission polar icebreakers and a new icebreaking research vessel. In addition, University of SCIENCE INTEREST Alaska has begun concept designs for replacing fter the end of the Cold War, military inter- the R/V Alpha Helix with an intermediate- A est in the Arctic waned along with military sized, ice-strengthened ship for oceanographic funding for Arctic scientific activities. However, and fisheries research around the coast of changing political and climatic regimes have Alaska. Two multi-mission Polar-class Coast recently led to increased interest and funding. Guard cutters, USCGC Polar Star and USCGC Polar Sea, are equipped to serve as oceano- With its changing political situation, Russia graphic research vessels and have made became interested in cooperative efforts and is important contributions to both Arctic and Ant- beginning to open up areas of the Arctic that arctic science programs during the last were previously inaccessible. Meanwhile, the twenty-five years. USCGC Healy, which was United States promoted dual use of military designed from the keel up as a research vessel assets-including submarines-and began to and heavy icebreaker, is capable of supporting declassify large amounts of Arctic bathymetry large multi-disciplinary studies. The ship, and under-ice profiles. Concern about the envi- which wiU be operated as a dedicated Arctic ronment led eight Arctic Nations-United research vessel, was delivered in November States, Canada, Russia, Norway, Sweden, Den- 1999, completed ice and science trials in July 2000, and conducted its first dedicated science mark, Iceland, and Finland-to form the Arctic cruise in the Eastern Arctic in the summer of Council in 1996 to discuss environmental and 2001. The advent of Healy adds significantly other non-military issues. Arctic Council envi- to the U.S. science-support capability in the ronmental subgroups have called for more scien- Arctic. tific measurements. Finally there have been increases in funding for Arctic research and logistical support by the National Science Foun- INTRODUCTION dation (NSF), the National Oceanic and Atmo- ue to its location and natural resources, the spheric Administration (NOAA), and the DArctic plays an important role in the global National Institutes of Health. The recent interest environment and economy. International bound- in health is particularly noteworthy because aries of the United States, Russia, Canada, and historically, health has been a major driver of several Nordic countries lie within the Arctic. U.S. research funding. Large programs that may The region contains twenty-five percent of the require use of arctic research vessels include: world's continental shelf and receives ten per- • International Bathymetric Chart of the cent of the world's fresh-water runoff. Because Arctic Ocean the Arctic Ocean and adjacent ice-covered seas • Nansen Arctic Drilling Program are the prime source of food for many of the • Shelf Basin Interaction (S8I) Program native inhabitants, there are concerns that • Ground truth measurements for satellite organic, inorganic, and radioactive pollutants sensors (e.g. synthetic aperture radar on from river discharges and atmospheric transport ENVISAT and RadarSat II)

MTS Journal • Vol. 35, No.3. 31 • Ocean-Atmosphere-Ice Interactions underwater vehicles (National Research Coun- (OAIl) Component of Arctic System Sci- cil, 1995). ence (ARCSS) Program • Global Ocean Observation System SUBMARINES (GOOS)-Long-term international environmental monitoring nited States nuclear submarines have been • Ocean Exploration Initiative (Presiden- Uoperating in the Arctic Ocean on strategic tial Directive of June 2000) missions since 1957. In 1999, extensive bathyme- • Work arising from the Arctic Council's try and under-ice profiles from cruises from Working Groups, e.g. Arctic Monitoring 1957-82 were released. Currently, data from and Assessment Program (AMAP) and cruises during the period 1983-1988 are being Emergency Prevention, Preparedness, processed for release (IOC/IASC/IHO Editorial and Response Working Group (EPPR) Board, 1999). • Follow-on studies from previous or con- The Science Ice Expedition (SCICEX) tinuing programs such as Surface Heat program, which evolved from a test cruise on Budget of the Arctic (SHEBA), Joint the USS Par go in 1993, provided dedicated sub- Global Ocean Flux Study (JGOFS), marine time for scientists riding on Sturgeon- World Ocean Circulation Project class nuclear-powered U.S. Navy attack subma- (WQCE), and Acoustic Thermometry of rines. During this program, almost 100,000 km Ocean Climate (ATOC) of geophysical, biological, chemical, and ocean- • Biocomplexity in the Environment (BE) ographic data in U.S. and international waters • Life in Extreme Environments (LexEn) were collected during five unclassified science • North Pole Environmental Observatory cruises aboard USS CavaUa (1995), USS Pogy • Autonomous Polar Geophysical (1996), USS Arche?jish (1997), and USS Hawk- Explorer (APOGEE) biU (1998 and 1999) (Newton, 1995j Pyle et al, • Study of Environmental Arctic Change 1997; SCICEX 2000 Workshop, 1999). Ofparticu- (SEARCH) lar note are extensive swath bathymetry and subbottom profiler data that were collected (Newton, 2000). However, two developments ARCTIC RESEARCH PLATFORMS may affect the future of this program. First, the submarine fleet has been reduced to half the n addition to ice camps and shore stations, size of the fleet at the beginning of the SCICEX platforms used to support sensors, sampling I program. Second, all cruises were made on the devices, and/or deploy tethered, moored, or drif- fully ice-capable 637-class submarines, the last ting equipment include surface vessels, subma- of which was decommissioned in early 2001. rines, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), Tests are being conducted to determine the aircraft, and satellites. In this paper we discuss capabilities of vessels of the 21, 688, and 688-1 ocean vessels-surface and submarine-used in classes and the future of the program rests with the United States Arctic research program with these results, plus funding and the availability a focus on polar icebreakers. of submarines. It is likely that future science Quiet, stable, fast, long-endurance cruises will be "accommodation missions" con- nuclear submarines operating under ice have ducted by Navy personnel rather than dedicated proven to be effective platforms for certain sci- missions with scientists riding the submarine entific measurements. They are particularly (SCICEX 2000 Workshop, 1999; Newton, 2001). suited for mapping bathymetry and the shallow The last 637-class science cruise was an acco- subbottom, measuring magnetic and gravity modation mission conducted in 2000 by the USS fields, and making measurements of fluores- L. Mendel Rivers, which was enroute to its cence and turbidity in the upper water-column. decommissioning. When AUVs with endurances On the other hand, the space constraints on of weeks and ranges of thousands of kilometers board submarines limit their role in some geo- become operational, "AUVs may replace subma- logical, chemical and biologic work. Polar ice- rines for many applications" (National breakers-with large spaces for laboratories, Research Council, 1995). Replacement of sub- equipment, storage, and with the ability to oper- marines as under-ice platforms for extensive ate in shallower waters-are well-suited for seafloor mapping would require significant operations requiring substantial support facili- advances in AUV technology, including suffi- ties. Icebreakers are particularly effective plat- cient power to operate a swath sonar and endur- forms for dredging, coring, heat-flow measure- ances on the order of 10,000 Ion (Newton, 2000). ments, seismic refraction, multi-channel seismic profiling, sampling for chemical and biological studies, installing and retrieving POLAR RESEARCH VESSELS moored instruments, and conducting measure- ue to the harsh climate, extreme variations ments with remotely operated or autonomous D in temperatures and daylight, and remote

32 • MTS Journal • Vol. 35, No. 3 locations, polar research vessels have other the Russian Arktika-class nuclear-powered ice- requirements than research vessels that oper- breakers, have performed occasional research ate solely in open water, or even ice-strength- missions. Since Arctic sea ice can attain greater ened vessels that operate in the marginal ice thickness than sea ice in the Antarctic, polar zone. The additional capabilities include heavy icebreakers operating in the Arctic generally icebreaking capability, long endurance, large have higher propulsive power than those (with storage areas, and the ability to accommodate the exception of Shirase) serving only the Ant- ship-carried helicopters. Using the criterion of arctic. In addition to the icebreaking capabili- a minimum propulsive power of 10,000 hp, Brig- ties, polar research vessel requirements include ham (2000) compiled a listing of the world's space for wet and dry laboratories, with exten- polar icebreakers in operation at the end of 1999. sive instrument racks for installing scientific Of the 38 polar icebreakers, two-thirds are lis- equipment, deck space and equipment to han- ted as engaged primarily in escort, offshore dle scientific gear, and additional conning sta- work, and tourism while one-third have tions for controlling the vessel while sensor and research missions: nine in the Arctic or Arctic! sampling packages are over the side. Many of Antarctic -USGGG Polar Star (U.S.), USGGG the multi-mission icebreakers have been Polar Sea (U.S.), GGGS Louis St-Laurent (Can- adapted for use as platforms for scientific ada), USGGGHealy (U.S.), Oden (Sweden), Aka- research. Only a few-including Polarstern, demik Federov (Russia), Polarstern (Germany), Shirase, Palmer, and Healy have been designed GGGS Pierre Radisson (Canada), and GGGS from the keel up as polar research vessels. Des GroseiUiers (Canada)-and four in the Ant- A 1990 Presidential Directive set the arctic-Shirase (Japan), Almirante lrizar size of the U.S. polar icebreaker fleet at four (Argentina), Nathaniel B. Palmer (U.S), and vessels. At present the four vessels, listed in Aurora Australis (Australia). Others, including Table 1 with their characteristics, are the Polar

Table 1. U.S. Polar Icebreakers and Ice-Strengthened Research Vessels Healy Polar-class Palmer Gould Alaskan Regional Research Vessel Lenath 420 ft 399 ft 308 ft 230 ft - 210 ft Beam 82 ft 83.5 ft 60 ft 46 ft - 47 ft Draft 30 ft 28 ft 23 ft 19 fl - 18 fl Disolacement 16,400 tons 13200 tons 6800tons 3400 tons Shaft 30,000 hp 18,000 hp diesel 13,200hp 4600 hp - 5,000 hp Horsepower 60,000 hp gas turbine Propellers 2 Fixed Pitch 3 Controllable 2 2 Pitch Controllable Controllable Pitch Pitch Speed (Open 17 kts 18 kts 141M 13.5 kts Water) lcebreaking 4.5 ft@ 3 kts 6ft@3kts 3ft@3kts 1ft@3kts - 2.5 ft @ 3 kts (Continuous) lcebreaking 8ft 21 ft 5ft 3ft -7ft (Back and Ram) Endurance 21,500 nm@ 28,275 nm @13 5,000 nm 12,000 n 12.5 kts kts @ 14 kts mi@ 12 kts Crew 75 (includes 8 142 (includes 8 26 12 in helo in helo detachment) detachment) Science Berths 35 Normal! 20+ 39 28 Normal/ -18-25 50 Suras 38 surae Operating Arctic Antarctic! Antarctic Antarctic Arctic Area Arctic Type Research Multi-mission Research lce- Ice-5trengthened Vessel/Polar Polar Icebreaker Vessel/Polar Strengthened Research Vessel Icebreaker Icebreaker Research Vessel

Launched 1997 1976/1978 1992 1998 -lConcept Desiarif

MTS JourlWl • Vol. 35, No.3. 33 Star, Polar Sea, Healy, and the Antarctic National Science Foundation through Operation research vessel R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer. These Deep Freeze in the Antarctic. At other times vessels plus the ice-capable Antarctic research the Polars are occupied with shipyard repair, vessel R/V Laurence M. Gould and the proposed training, and funded science missions or Sci- Alaskan regional research vessel are listed in ence-of-Opportunity cruises to the Arctic in the Table I with their characteristics. The Palmer summer. Healy's prime mission is to serve as and Gould are leased and operated by NSF a research icebreaker in the Arctic, and she can through contracts with Edison Chouest Off- access the Arctic year round. We discuss the shore and Raytheon Polar Services. Sutherland Coast Guard polar icebreakers in more detail (2001) discusses research vessels dedicated to below. the U.s. Antarctic Research Program. In 1988, the University-National Oceanographic Labora- POLAR-CLASS ICEBREAKERS tory System (UNOLS) proposed building an Arc- tic research vessel. Designs were produced otivation to construct the Polar-class ice- (Eisner et al, 1995) for a 340-ft vessel with 20,000 Mbreakers came from the need to replace shaft hp and a landing deck for visiting helicop- the aging Wind-class icebreakers built in 1944- ters but without hangering capability. The pro- 45 and the possibility of new Coast Guard mis- posed vessel would be capable of solo cruises sions due to the discovery of oil and gas on the in the margins of the central Arctic Ocean from North Slope of Alaska in the late 19605.Two July to September and escorted excursions to vessels-USCGC Polar Star and USCGC Polar higher latitudes if accompanied by a more capa- Sea-were built by Lockheed Shipbuilding and ble icebreaker. Due to budgetary constraints, Construction Company of Seattle and commis- the concept was rejected after a General sioned by the Coast Guard in 1976 and 1978. Accounting Office audit and the Arctic research These vessels were designed to break vessel was not built. Finally, the U.S. may get a 6 ft of ice continuously at 3 kts and 21 it by new ice-strengthened research vessel. In 1999, backing and ramming. Two different propulsion UNOLS proposed construction of an intermedi- systems-diesel-electric motors for normal ice- ate, ice-strengthened general-purpose oceano- breaking and gas turbine for heavy ice-deliver graphic and fisheries research vessel to replace power through three shafts with controllable- pitch propellers. This feature enables the vessel the R/V Alpha Helix, to be operated by the to reverse direction without stopping the shafts University of Alaska (UNOLS Science Mission and is useful in backing and ramming in heavy Requirements Committee, 1999). The Univer- ice. Various combinations of turbines and diesel sity of Alaska and the Woods Hole Oceano- electric propulsion assignment to different graphic Institution are cooperating on a concept shafts give the Polar class a wide variety of design of an intermediate-sized research vessel power configurations. that will meet these specifications. The ship's Science space on each Polar-class ship features are listed in Table I. Note that the size includes a dry lab, two wet labs, an outer vesti- and propulsive power are comparable to the bule with CTD hanger, a computer lab, and a Antarctic vessel Lawrence M. Gould. The vessel meteorology office. There is space for eight 20- will be designed to perform a variety of oceano- foot science vans. For bottom mapping, there is graphic and fisheries research missions in the a 12-kHz precision depth recorder and a 3.5- waters around Alaska including the Bering Sea, kHz subottom profiling system. A TeraScan sys- the Chukchi Sea, and the Beaufort Sea. tem downloads visual and IR imagery from sat- The U.S. Coast Guard operates the ellites. There is a CTD rosette system and an other three polar icebreakers: two Polar-class expendable bathythermograph system (XBT). cutters-Polar Star and Polar Sea-and Healy. The Polar Star has an uncontaminated seawater The Polar-class icebreakers are multi-mission system with a continuous profiling in-line ther- Coast Guard cutters that provide scientific sup- mosalinograph. port, ice escort, and logistical support in both For science support there are three polar regions. They are also prepared to perform general-purpose cranes, two oceanographic search and rescue, law enforcement, and winches rigged to the port side J-frame, and a marine environmental protection functions. coring/trawling winch rigged to the aft J-frame. Each ship is equipped to serve as a major research Each ship can carry a variety of small boats vessel and, in fact, data acquired from cruises (Arctic Survey Boat with enclosed cabin outfit- of the Polar-class vessels have made "valuable ted to accept limited scientific equipment; a contributions to a variety of scientific disci- motor surf boat; a LCVP-type landing craft; and plines" (National Research Council, 1995). a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RlllB)). It also car- Each winter (austral summer), with the Polar ries two HH-65 Dolphin helicopters. Sea and Polar Star alternating years, a Polar- The science spaces are frequently class icebreaker provides logistical support, ice- upgraded; current plans include the installation breaking escort, and scientific support for the of an integrated science data network.

34 • MTS Journal • VoL 35, No.3 HEALY (total of 35 normally or 50 in surge capacity) with half the crew of the Polar-class icebreaker. SCGC Healy, the United States' new polar Spaces dedicated to science users include a large Uicebreaker, was designed as a high-latitude multi-purpose conference room/library/lounge research platform capable of extended polar in addition to the labs and working decks operations. The ship was named after Captain (Table 2). Michael Healy of the U.S. Revenue Cutter Ser- Healy is well outfitted for loading vice, the Coast Guard's predecessor organiza- equipment, positioning vans, deploying boats, tion. Healy served as commanding officer of the plus a wide variety of scientific gear. Two ocean- U.S. Revenue Cutters Corwin and Bear, which ographic winches and a double-drum trawV provided a U.S. Federal presence in the new core winch can be used with A-frames located Alaskan territory and made scientific observa- on the stem and starboard quarter. Fig. 1 shows tions of the Alaskan Arctic in the last part of the Healy with its cranes extended. nineteenth century. Two helicopters and up to four boats The ship, which is 420 ft in length and are available for logistics and aiding science oper- displaces over 16,000 tons, was delivered to the ations. The ship has a flight deck, a hanger, and Coast Guard in November 1999 by Litton-Avon- normally carries two HH-65 Dauphin helicop- dale Industries, New Orleans. For ship control, ters. The boats include one 38-ft Arctic Survey Healy has a dynamic positioning system, an anti- Boat (ABS), one 38-ft LCVP cargo boat, and roll stabilization tank, bow thruster, two rudders, two 23-ft Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB). and a bow-wash system for lubricating the hull The size and layout of the laboratory during icebreaking operations. Power for pro- and science support space is shown in Table 2 pulsion is provided by cycloconverter-controlled and Figure 2. Science systems include an Acous- AC synchronous motors. Advantages of this tic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP); two echo- system include reduced size, weight, and mainte- sounding/subbottom profiling systems; a multi- nance plus excellent torque characteristics for beam sonar system; an expendable oceano- icebreaking (Kallah et al, 1994). To reduce com- graphic probe system (e.g. expendable plexity and maintenance, two fixed-pitch pro- bathythermographs); a ground station for pellers are used for power instead of controlla- weather satellites; a conductivity-depth-temper- ble pitch. Healy accommodates more scientists ature (CTD)/rosette system; a bow tower for

Table 2. USCGC Healy Laboratory and Science Support Spaces 1233 s ft 390 s ft 310 s ft 206 s ft 124 s ft 105 s ft 582 s ft 546 s ft 130 s ft 130 s ft 300 s ft 325 s ft 153 s ft 1030 s ft 100 s ft 256 s ft 439 s ft 108 s ft 500 s ft 600 sq ft

MTS Journal • Vol. 35, No.3. 35 Figure 1 USCGC Healy with Cranes Extended. clean air experiments; an area for daylight incu- bation experiments; a continuous-flow seawater sampling system; and a jumbo coring system. Data are stored and analyzed with the aid of a dedicated fiber optic Science Data Net- work (SDN) with computer jacks throughout the ship, including two in each stateroom. The SDN dates and time-stamps all data acquired through 24 installed scientific, engineering, and naviga- tional systems and has the capacity of adding 12 additional systems. Data can be transferred bye-mail via INMARSAT through the dedicated science conununication system. Berkson and DuPree (2000) give additional details about Healy. After finishing warm water testing in February 2000, Healy completed six weeks of icebreaking performance trials of the hull and machinery systems. It then completed four weeks of cold water testing of the science systems near Baffin Island in July 2000. During these ice tests, the ship exceeded the minimum design icebreaking requirements of 4.5 ft continuous at 3 kts by breaking 5.6 ft of ice (plus Figure 2. Science Areas on the Main Deck and 01 Deck. In addition there are science areas 0.5 ft of snow) at 2.6 kts and also 4.5 ft of ice in other locations, including a large Science Lounge/Library/Conference Room on the 02 (plus 0.5 ft of snow) at 4.6 kts. It was able to Deck. traverse a 45-ft pressure ridge in three back- and-ram cycles. Following the ice and science trials, Healy transited to Seattle via the North- west Passage and was commissioned in August 2000. After completing warranty repairs and improvements, the ship deployed on its first dedicated science mission in the Eastern Arctic in the sununer of 200l. Through the UNOLS Arctic Icebreaker Coordinating Committee (AlCC), the scientific conununity has been providing advice on icebreaker marine science operations and was heav- ily involved with the Healy design and testing program. The AlCC, which was formed in 1996, 01 Deck is funded jointly by the Coast Guard and NSF. During the science systems trials, members of the AlCC and the UNOLS Research Vessel Tech- nical Enhancement Committee (RVTEC) conducted integrated testing of all science systems and identified areas for warranty work or improvement. Current plans are for Healy to conduct Arctic research for up to 200 operational days per year. The Coast Guard is refining administra- tive and operational procedures to provide services equivalent to those provided on UNOLS large research vessels. The science equipment will be operated by Coast Guard Marine Science Technicians (MSTs), with support from con- tracted specialists as required. In cooperation with UNOLS, the MSTs have been cross-training on UNOLS ships and have been regularly partici- pating in the meetings and activities of the RVTEC conununity.

36 • MTS Journal • Vol. 35, No. 3 CONCLUSION IOC/IASC/IHO Editorial Board for the International Bathymetric Chart of the Arctic Ocean, 1999. nited States Arctic research vessels consist Report of Meeting: Dartmouth, Canada; June 24, Uof a mix of submarines and surface vessels. 1999,14 pp. With the conclusion of the SCICEX program, the Kal1ah, A.S., B. Hall, and V.E. Watson. 1994. Power, availability of submersibles for Arctic research propulsion and control systems for the U.S. Coast is uncertain and depends on funding decisions Guard Polar Icebreaker "Healy." 1994 Technical Innovation Symposium Proceedings, American and the availability of ice-strengthened subma- Society of Naval Engineers, p. 261-286. rines or the development of high-endurance Mulherin, N., D. Sodhi, and E. Smallidge, 1994, The AlNs. The two Polar-class multi-mission ice- Northern Route and icebreaking technology, Cold breakers will continue to be important platforms Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, for scientific research. With concept designs 166 pp. started for a proposed Alaska Regional Research National Research Council, Committee on the Arctic Vessel, construction of that ship will add a capa- Research Vessel. 1995. Arclic Ocean Research and bility for fisheries and oceanographic research Supporting Facilities: National Needs and Goals, in coastal areas. With the advent of Healy, U.S. 83 pp. scientists will have increased access to the high Newton, G. 1995. The nuclear submarine as an ocean research platform. MTS Journal. 28:4, p. 47-52. Arctic on a dedicated research vessel with Newton, G. 2000. The Science Ice Exercise Program: state-of-the-art instrumentation. History, achievements, and future of SCICEX. Arc- tic Research of the United States, Vol. 14, p. 2-7. REFERENCES Newton, G. 2001. Don't forget the Arctic. The Subma- rine Review. April 2001, p. 91-1000. Aagaard, K., D. Darby, K. Falkner, G. Flato, J Greb- Pyle, T., M. Ledbetter, B. Coakley, and D. Chayes. 1997. meier, C. Measures, and J. Walsh. 1999. Marine Arctic Ocean Science. Sea Technology, 38:10, p. science in the Arctic: a strategy, Arctic Research 10-15. Consortium of the United States (ARCUS), 84 pp. SCICEX 2000 Workshop, 1999. Arctic Ocean science Berkson, J. and G. DuPree. 2000. USCGC HEALY:An from submarines-A report based on the SCICEX icebreaking Research Vessel. IEEE/MTS Ocean 2000 Workshop. Applied Physics laboratory, Univer- 2000 Proceedings, p. 957-960. sity of Washington, 115 pp. Brigham, L.W., 2000. Polar icebreakers at the end of Sutherland, A. 2001. United States Antarctic Program the twentieth century. Polar Record. 36:198, p. Research Vessels. MTS Journal. 35:3. 247-249. UNOLS Science Mission Requirements Committee. Eisner, R., V. Alexander, and T.C. Royer. 1995. Meeting 1999. An Alaskan regional research vessel to the challenge, Research Vessel Support in the Arc- replace R/V Alpha Helix. UNOLS Fleet Improvement tic, MTS Journal, 28:4, p. 28-33. Committee, 12 pp.

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