A new research vessel ordered by California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt (Cal Poly Humboldt) was recently launched into the water for the first time.
North Wind will soon begin undergoing sea trials. Its delivery is scheduled for later this year.
Designed by Nic de Waal of Teknicraft Design of New Zealand, North Wind is a semi-displacement, aluminium catamaran measuring 78 feet (24 metres) long and 26.7 feet (8.14 metres) wide. Power will be provided by two 1,100hp (820kW) engines that comply with US EPA Tier IV emissions standards.
The vessel's area of operations will encompass the coastal waters off northern California and Oregon. It will be able to carry up to 40 students, faculty, and crew on day trips and accommodate up to 14 people on multi-day research voyages.
The vessel will have a variety of hydraulic deck machinery for handling up to 5,000 pounds (2,000 kg) of oceanographic equipment and instrumentation.
The deck will also accommodate divers entering the water from two platforms off the stern. The vessel's laboratory and pilot house will carry a diverse array of navigation and oceanographic electronics to measure physical and biological features of the ocean bottom and water column.