This list includes all NOAA vessels, except barges and small boats.
Ships not yet commissioned, or in long-term overhaul/conversion, are listed in italics. All classifications are purely unofficial and are based on an attempt to use standard classifications throughout all navies; they may or may not correspond to "official" designations. Where two dates are given (i.e. 1965/82), the first is the date of initial completion, and the second is the date of acquisition, conversion, or transfer. Designations given in (parentheses) are assigned but not displayed on the ship's hull.
All vessel names are prefixed by "R/V".
Ronald H. Brown
(Thomas G. Thompson class) oceanographic research ship
Notes: Fourth of a series of US Navy research ships, turned over to NOAA while under construction as a replacement for obsolete NOAA ships. NOAA's largest and most capable ship; performs worldwide missions.
Builders: Trinity/Halter Marine, Moss Point, MS.
| Number | Name | Year | FLT | Homeport | Notes |
| R104 | Ronald H. Brown | 1997 | ATL | Charleston, SC |
Ka'imomoana
(Stalwart class) oceanographic research ship
Notes: One of four former USN ocean surveillance ships transferred to NOAA; three sisters are listed below as fisheries research ships. Has undergone extensive conversion and supports the Tropical Atmosphere Ocean Array buoy system in the Pacific.
Builders: Trinity/Halter Marine, New Orleans.
| Number | Name | Year | FLT | Homeport | Notes |
| R333 | Ka'imimoana | 1989/96 | PAC | Honolulu, HI | ex-Titan (T-AGOS 15) |
Notes: Former USN ocean surveillance ship transferred via USCG. Presumably will be renamed before entering service. Will operate in Hawaiian waters.
Builders: Trinity/Halter Marine, New Orleans.
| Number | Name | Year | FLT | Homeport | Notes |
| R334 | (Vindicator) | 1984/03 | PAC | Honolulu, HI | In Conversion; ex-T-AGOS 3 |
Nancy Foster
(Cape Flattery class) coastal oceanographic research ship
Notes: A former USN torpedo trials craft, completed in 1992 but never placed in service. Transferred to NOAA in 2000 and converted in 2002, receiving equipment removed from Ferrel.
Builders: McDermott SY, Morgan City, LA.
| Number | Name | Year | FLT | Homeport | Notes |
| R352 | Nancy Foster | 1992/03 | ATL | Charleston, SC |
Notes: Former USN ocean surveillance ship transferred late 2002, to replace McArthur in 2003. Presumably will be renamed before entering service.
Builders: Tacoma Boatbuilding.
| Number | Name | Year | FLT | Homeport | Notes |
| ? | (Indomitable) | 1985/03 | PAC | Seattle, WA | In Conversion; ex-T-AGOS 7 |
Fairweather class survey ships
(1+1 ships)
Notes: Primarily intended for charting operations. Sistership Mt. Mitchell discarded. Fairweather has been laid up since 1989 but is being reactivated.
Builders: Aerojet-General, Jacksonville, FL.
| Number | Name | Year | FLT | Homeport | Notes |
| S220 | Fairweather | 1968/03 | PAC | Seattle, WA | Pending Reactivation |
| S221 | Rainier | 1968 | PAC | Seattle, WA |
McArthur survey ship
Notes: Primarily a survey ship, but also employed in fisheries research. Will be replaced by Indomitable. Sistership Davidson has been discarded.
Builders: Norfolk SB&DD, VA.
| Number | Name | Year | FLT | Homeport | Notes |
| S330 | McArthur | 1956 | PAC | Seattle, WA | Decom 2003 |
Whiting survey ship
Notes: Primarily intended for charting and bathymetric surveys. Sistership Pierce discarded.
Builders: Marietta Manufacturing, Point Pleasant, WV.
| Number | Name | Year | FLT | Homeport | Notes |
| S329 | Whiting | 1963 | ATL | Norfolk, VA |
Rude inshore survey ship
Notes: Small survey ship, survivor of a pair originally intended to locate underwater hazards by towing a wire drag.
Builders: Jakobson SY, Oyster Bay, NY.
| Number | Name | Year | FLT | Homeport | Notes |
| S590 | Rude | 1967 | ATL | Norfolk |
Oscar Dyson
class fisheries research ships (0+4 ships)
Notes: A new class of four ships, first unit ordered and three more planned. Will replace three old fisheries research ships and provide one additional ship.
Builders: Halter Marine, Moss Point.
| Number | Name | Year | FLT | Homeport | Notes |
| R??? | Oscar Dyson | 1/2004 | PAC | Kodiak, AK | Building |
| R??? | (none) | 2005 | ATL | Woods Hole | Planned |
| R??? | (none) | ATL | Pascagoula | Planned | |
| R??? | (none) | PAC | Newport, OR | Planned |
Gordon Gunter
(Stalwart) class fisheries research ships (2 ships)
Notes: Former USN ocean surveillance ships. Not initially reactivated when transferred to NOAA, and remained in reserve for many years. Oscar Elton Sette was formally commissioned in January 2003, but was operating in late 2002.
Builders: Trinity/Halter Marine, New Orleans.
| Number | Name | Year | FLT | Homeport | Notes |
| R335 | Oscar Elton Sette | 1988/02 | PAC | Honolulu, HI | ex-Adventurous (T-AGOS 13) |
| R336 | Gordon Gunter | 1990/98 | ATL | Pascagoula, MS | ex-Relentless (T-AGOS 18) |
Miller Freeman
fisheries research shipNotes: Purpose-built fisheries research ship. Recently overhauled to extend service. Works in Alaskan waters, but will be shifted to other areas when Oscar Dyson is completed.
Builders: American SB, Lorain, OH.
| Number | Name | Year | FLT | Homeport | Notes |
| R223 | Miller Freeman | 1974 | PAC | Seattle, WA |
Albatross IV fisheries research ship
Notes: A purpose-built fisheries research ship. Recently overhauled to extend service; will be replaced by the second Oscar Dyson class ship.
Builders: Southern SB, Slidell, LA.
| Number | Name | Year | FLT | Homeport | Notes |
| R342 | Albatross IV | 1963 | ATL | Woods Hole, MA |
David Starr Jordan fisheries research ship
Notes: A purpose-built fisheries research ship, often employed in dolphin surveys. Has a small helicopter platform.
Builders: Christy, Sturgeon Bay, WI.
| Number | Name | Year | FLT | Homeport | Notes |
| R444 | David Starr Jordan | 1966 | PAC | San Diego, CA |
Oregon II fisheries research ship
Notes: A trawler-type fisheries research ship. Will be replaced by the third Oscar Dyson class ship.
Builders: Ingalls SB, Pascagoula, MS.
| Number | Name | Year | FLT | Homeport | Notes |
| R332 | Oregon II | 1967 | ATL | Pascagoula, MS |
Delaware II fisheries research ship
Notes: A trawler-type fisheries research ship. Completed a major overhaul mid-1990's, including major changes in equipment, superstructure and masts, and general life-extension. May be replaced by the second Oscar Dyson class ship, along with Albatross IV.
Builders: South Portland Engineering, ME.
| Number | Name | Year | FLT | Homeport | Notes |
| R445 | Delaware II | 1968 | ATL | Woods Hole, MA |
John N. Cobb fisheries research ship
Notes: An aged, wood-hulled fisheries research ship. In need of replacement. May be retired when Oscar Dyson enters service.
Builders: Western Boatbuilding, Tacoma, WA.
| Number | Name | Year | FLT | Homeport | Notes |
| R552 | John N. Cobb | 1950 | PAC | Juneau, AK |