A new catamaran research vessel was recently handed over to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).
The custom-built, all-aluminium vessel Sound Outlook will support DEEP's marine research and environmental monitoring operations, particularly in the shallower waters of Long Island Sound. The vessel will collect and test water samples for parameters such as temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen levels and nitrogen levels among others.
The vessel will help safeguard water quality in Long Island Sound by enabling water quality sampling, especially close to shore where there are the highest levels of public recreation. According to DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes, the surveys to be conducted using the new vessel will aid in the early detection of issues that could affect water quality and thus impact the surrounding marine life.
Sound Outlook has an LOA of 48 feet (15 metres), a beam of 16 feet (4.9 metres), a depth of 4.9 feet (1.5 metres), and two Scania DI13 diesel engines that each produce 750 hp (560 kW). The engines drive two Hamilton HJ403 waterjets and are fed by tanks with a total capacity of 500 gallons (1,900 litres).
The vessel is purpose-fitted for survey and sampling work. The port side of the main cabin houses two laboratory workstations with solid-surface countertops, a stainless-steel double sink, and a dedicated RODI cold-water rinse system. The starboard side provides two survey workstations.
On the roof deck, a Morgan Marine 200.3 hydraulic knuckle crane, two Kolstrand trawl winches, and a rosette winch support active deployments alongside a hydraulic A-frame and anchor winch.
A drone deployment pad and forward instrument plate are also integrated into the deck layout.
Navigation systems include three Garmin 8616 multifunction displays on a NMEA 2000 network, an 18HD radar, and a Wave WiFi cellular and wi-fi system. A Northern Lights 20kW diesel generator and a Victron MultiPlus inverter-charger provide power independent of shore supply.
Climate control is handled by two Dometic AC units and a Webasto forced-air diesel heater.
Sound Outlook will take over the water quality monitoring work conducted by John Dempsey, which has been operated by DEEP in Long Island Sound for over 30 years.
The new monitoring boat was purchased for US$2.2 million with grant funding provided by the Long Island Sound Partnership, a collaborative effort of various stakeholders that are working to protect and improve the health of the sound.
| Sound Outlook | |
|---|---|
| SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Type of vessel: | Water quality monitoring vessel |
| Flag: | USA |
| Owner: | Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, USA |
| Hull construction material: | Aluminium |
| Superstructure construction material: | Aluminium |
| Deck construction material: | Aluminium |
| Length overall: | 48 feet (15 metres) |
| Beam: | 16 feet (4.9 metres) |
| Depth: | 4.9 feet (1.5 metres) |
| Main engines: | 2 x Scania DI13, each 750 hp (560 kW) |
| Propulsion: | 2 x Hamilton HJ403 waterjets |
| Generators: | Northern Lights, 20 kW; Victron MultiPlus |
| Displays: | 3 x Garmin 8616 |
| Radar: | Garmin 18HD |
| Other electronics: | Wave Wifi cellular system |
| Winches: | 2 x Kolstrand |
| Crane: | Morgan Marine 200.3 |
| Other deck equipment: | A-frame |
| Interior fitout: | 2 x Dometic AC; Webasto heater |
| Type of fuel: | Diesel |
| Fuel capacity: | 500 gallons (1,900 litres) |
| Operational area: | Long Island Sound, Connecticut, USA |