NOAA Advances Fleet Modernization with $624.6 Million Contract for Research Vessels

The construction of a new research vessel, Surveyor, marks a significant milestone for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as it endeavors to modernize its fleet with advanced ocean mapping and nautical charting capabilities. Laid at Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors LLC in Houma, Louisiana, the keel-laying ceremony on August 14 symbolizes the commencement of a maritime tradition integral to shipbuilding, reinforcing NOAA's commitment to enhancing data collection and survey operations across U.S. waters.

This undertaking involves the construction of two research vessels, Surveyor and Navigator, under a substantial $624.6 million contract awarded in 2023 to Thoma-Sea. Scheduled for completion in 2027 and 2028 respectively, these vessels are set to play an instrumental role in NOAA's mission, which includes updating nautical charts vital for the safe navigation of maritime routes across the United States. The potential addition of two more ships under the contract emphasizes NOAA's long-term strategy to maintain a state-of-the-art fleet.

Surveyor, destined to be home-ported in Ketchikan, Alaska, highlights NOAA's dedication to coastal and waterway surveys, a mission it has championed since its founding as the U.S. Coast Survey in 1807. Today, these efforts underpin an annual economic activity of approximately $5.4 trillion generated by U.S. ports, making the accurate and efficient navigation facilitated by Surveyor's sophisticated data-collection systems crucial.

The technological advances in the new vessels are notable. Each will incorporate Siemens Energy BlueDrive PlusC hybrid propulsion systems paired with battery storage, ensuring both environmental sustainability and operational efficiency. The vessels' engineering includes four Caterpillar 3512 Tier 4 engines, responsible for generating the electricity necessary for propulsion and supporting both research operations and onboard systems.

NOAA's vessels are equipped not just for seafloor mapping and marine habitat surveys but also to support the deployment of crewed and uncrewed survey boats and scientific instruments. The data garnered from these expanded capabilities will continue feeding into vital navigation tools, thereby ensuring NOAA's capacity to support marine operations.

In a related development, NOAA is also modernizing with a separate class of oceanographic research vessels. Thoma-Sea is constructing the Oceanographer and Discoverer, measuring 244 feet by 51 feet, with scheduled delivery in 2026, further underscoring NOAA’s strategy to rejuvenate its aging fleet for contemporary scientific and commercial demands.

Rear Admiral Chad Cary, director of the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps and NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations, highlighted the significance of these technological upgrades, describing them as pivotal to NOAA's ongoing efforts to recapitalize its capabilities and fulfill its critical mission in marine navigation support.

Overall, the augmentation of NOAA's fleet with the Surveyor and Navigator signifies a strategic enhancement in the nation's oceanographic research infrastructure, pivotal for the safe navigation and economic vitality of U.S. maritime commerce.