VESSEL REVIEW | North Wind – Long-range research catamaran designed for California's offshore waters

California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (Cal Poly Humboldt) has taken delivery of a new catamaran research vessel designed by Nic de Waal of Teknicraft Design of New Zealand.

North Wind was completed as a semi-displacement, aluminium vessel that has been constructed to US Coast Guard Subchapter T standards. It can be operated in near-coastal and offshore waters, undertaking research in oceanography and marine and supporting the offshore wind industry.

Renewal of the owner's research fleet

The newbuild will assume the responsibilities currently shouldered by Cal Poly Humboldt’s research vessel Coral Sea, which was built in 1974 and is scheduled for retirement in 2026 after serving with the university for nearly 28 years. Though well-maintained, Coral Sea has already exceeded the average 30-year lifespan of a research vessel.

In addition, California has passed new emission standards effective in 2026 for vessels in Coral Sea’s class, and Cal Poly Humboldt realised that replacing the ship’s five diesel engines to meet the new standards would cost up to US$2 million.

Acquiring another secondhand vessel would meanwhile require retrofitting with engines that meet state standards and outfitting with oceanographic equipment to handle the needs specific to the types of research being conducted by faculty and students.

Given these factors, and the anticipated growth in enrollment in the university’s marine science programs, the owner found it more practical to invest in a vessel built specifically for Humboldt, according to Eric Riggs, Dean of Cal Poly Humboldt’s College of Natural Resources and Sciences.

High-performance and economical propulsion

North Wind has a length of 78 feet (24 metres), a beam of 26.7 feet (8.14 metres), and two MAN D2862LE43B 1,100hp (820kW) US EPA Tier IV diesel engines that can deliver speeds of over 28 knots at 80 per cent MCR.

The engines are fed by a 1,600-gallon (6,100-litre) fuel tank and fitted with diesel particulate filters to enable the vessel to meet California’s environmental standards without any compromise in performance.

When used in conjunction with Teknicraft’s hydrofoil-assisted hull design, the engines can generate reduced drag and wake, thus improving fuel efficiency and ensuring smoother transits even in offshore waters.

When cruising between 18 and 24 knots, North Wind consumes around the same amount of fuel per nautical mile, allowing for extended range and duration. This then means Cal Poly Humboldt researchers can stay out at sea for longer periods for scientific activities to be conducted more thoroughly.

Comprehensive deck equipment and electronics suite

The vessel will be operated primarily in the coastal waters off northern California and Oregon and can accommodate up to 40 students, faculty, and crew on day trips. For multi-day research voyages, a maximum of 14 personnel will be embarked.

The catamaran features a variety of hydraulic deck machinery from Okeanus for handling up to 5,000 lb (2,000 kg) of oceanographic equipment and instrumentation. The deck can accommodate divers entering the water from two platforms off the stern.

The vessel's wet and dry laboratories and pilothouse feature a diverse array of navigation and oceanographic electronics to measure physical and biological features of the ocean bottom and water column. These include a Kongsberg acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP), two Furuno radars, and a fixed WASSP multibeam system.

Onboard spaces to permit multi-day trips include cabins for up to 14 personnel, a toilet with shower, a laundry area, a galley, and lounges.

Acquired for a cost of US$8.5 million, North Wind has dual certification from the US Coast Guard as an oceanographic research vessel and passenger vessel.