World Navies Today: US National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

Revised 10 March 2003
Version 2.15
Compiled and Maintained by: Andrew Toppan
World Navies Today Main Page: http://www.hazegray.org/worldnav/

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".

Ship Types Listed:
Oceanographic Research
Hydrographic Survey
Fisheries Research


Oceanographic Research Ships

Ronald H. Brown (Thomas G. Thompson class) oceanographic research ship

Displacement: 3,250 tons
Dimensions: 274 x 52.5 x 17 feet/83.5 x 16 x 5.2 meters
Propulsion: 3 diesels, diesel electric, 2 shafts, 6,000 shp, 15 knots
Crew: 25 + 34 scientists/mission crew

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
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Ka'imomoana (Stalwart class) oceanographic research ship

Displacement: 2,301 tons full load
Dimensions: 224 x 43 x 15 feet/68.3 x 13.1 x 4.6 meters
Propulsion: 4 diesels, diesel-electric, 3,200 bhp, 2 shafts, 11 knots
Crew: 21 + 12 scientists/mission crew

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)
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Vindicator (Stalwart class) coastal oceanographic research ship (0+1 ship)

Displacement: 2,300 tons full load
Dimensions: 224 x 43 x 15 feet/68.3 x 13.1 x 4.6 meters
Propulsion: 4 diesels, diesel-electric, 3,200 bhp, 2 shafts, 11 knots
Crew: approx 18 + 15 scientists/mission crew

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
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Nancy Foster (Cape Flattery class) coastal oceanographic research ship

Displacement: approx. 1,200 tons full load
Dimensions: 186.5 x 40 x 10.5 feet/56.8 x 12 x 3.2 meters
Propulsion: 1 diesel, 2 shafts, 1,250 shp, 11 knots
Crew: 16 + 17 mission crew

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
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Ferrel has been decommissioned.


Hydrographic Survey Ships

Indomitable (Stalwart class) survey ship (0+1 ship)

Displacement: 2,300 tons full load
Dimensions: 224 x 43 x 15 feet/68.3 x 13.1 x 4.6 meters
Propulsion: 4 diesels, diesel-electric, 3,200 bhp, 2 shafts, 11 knots
Crew: approx 18 + 15 scientists/mission crew

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
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Fairweather class survey ships (1+1 ships)

Displacement: 1,800 tons full load
Dimensions: 231 x 42 x 14 feet/70.4 x 12.8 x 4.3 meters
Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2,400 bhp, 2 shafts, 14.5 knots
Crew: 49 + 4 scientists/mission crew

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
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McArthur survey ship

Displacement: 1,071 tons full load
Dimensions: 175 x 38 x 11.5 feet/53.3 x 11.6 x 3.5 meters
Propulsion: 2 diesels, 1,600 bhp, 2 shafts, 13 knots
Crew: 22 + 13 scientists/mission crew

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
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Whiting survey ship

Displacement: 907 tons full load
Dimensions: 164 x 33 x 10 feet/50 x 10 x 3 meters
Propulsion: 2 diesels, 1,600 bhp, 2 shafts, 12.5 knots
Crew: 35

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
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Rude inshore survey ship

Displacement: 220 tons full load
Dimensions: 90 x 22 x 7 feet/27.4 x 6.7 x 2.2 meters
Propulsion: 2 diesels, 800 bhp, 2 shafts, 11.5 knots
Crew: 11

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
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Fisheries Research Ships


Oscar Dyson class fisheries research ships (0+4 ships)

Displacement:
Dimensions: 202.6 x 47.8 feet/63.3 x 14.94 meters
Propulsion: Diesel-electric, 4 diesels, 1 shaft, 14 knots
Crew: 20 + 19 mission crew

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
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Gordon Gunter (Stalwart) class fisheries research ships (2 ships)

Displacement: 2,300 tons full load
Dimensions: 224 x 43 x 15 feet/68.3 x 13.1 x 4.6 meters
Propulsion: 4 diesels, diesel-electric, 3,200 bhp, 2 shafts, 11 knots
Crew: 18 + 15 scientists/mission crew

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)
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Miller Freeman fisheries research ship

Displacement: 1,920 tons full load
Dimensions: 216.5 x 41 x 20 feet/66 x 12.5 x 6 meters
Propulsion: 1 diesel, 3,200 bhp, 1 shafts, 14 knots
Crew: 34 + 13 scientists

Notes: 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
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Albatross IV fisheries research ship

Displacement: 1,089 tons full load
Dimensions: 187 x 33 x 16 feet/57 x 10 x 4.9 meters
Propulsion: 2 diesels, 1,130 bhp, 1 shaft, 12 knots
Crew: 20 + 14 scientists/mission crew

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
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David Starr Jordan fisheries research ship

Displacement: 993 tons full load
Dimensions: 171 x 36.75 x 15.75 feet/52.1 x 11.2 x 4.8 meters
Propulsion: 1 diesels, 1,086 bhp, 2 shafts, 11.5 knots
Crew: 18 + 15 scientists/mission crew

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
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Oregon II fisheries research ship

Displacement: 952 tons full load
Dimensions: 170 x 34 x 14 feet/51.8 x 10.4 x 4.3 meters
Propulsion: 2 diesels, 1,600 bhp, 1 shaft, 12 knots
Crew: 17 + 14 scientists/mission crew

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
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Delaware II fisheries research ship

Displacement: 891 tons full load
Dimensions: 155 x 30 x 14.75 feet/47.2 x 9.1 x 4.5 meters
Propulsion: 1 diesel, 1,230 bhp, 1 shaft, 11.5 knots
Crew: 16 + 14 scientists/mission crew

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
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John N. Cobb fisheries research ship

Displacement: 250 tons
Dimensions: 93 x 26 x 11 feet/28.3 x 7.9 x 3.3 meters
Propulsion: 1 diesel, 325 bhp, 1 shaft, 9.3 knots
Crew: 7 + 4 scientists/mission crew

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
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Townsend Cromwell was decommissioned 10 October 2002.

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Compiled and maintained by Andrew Toppan.
Copyright © 1997-2003, Andrew Toppan. All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction, reuse, or distribution without permission is prohibited.