NOAAS Okeanos Explorer

Okeanos Explorer at sea (with satellite dome before it was shortened in 2011)
History
United States
NameUSNS Capable (T-AGOS-16)
Awarded20 February 1987
BuilderHalter Marine
Laid down17 October 1987
Launched28 October 1988
In service9 June 1989
Out of service14 September 2004
FateTransferred to NOAA
United States
NameOkeanos Explorer
Commissioned13 August 2008
In service2010 - present
HomeportNewport, Rhode Island
Identification
General characteristics
Class and typeStalwart-class ocean Surveillance Ship
Displacement
  • 1565 tons (lightship)
  • 2265 tons (full load)
Length224 ft (68 m)
Beam43 ft (13 m)
Draft17 ft (5.2 m)
Propulsion4 × Caterpillar D398 diesels, 3,200 hp; GE motors, 2 × 800 hp; 2 × 250 hp stern thrusters; 1 × 500 hp bow thruster
Speed10 knots (19 km/h)
Range9,600 nautical miles (18,000 km)
Endurance40 days
Complement7 commissioned officers, 3 licensed engineers, 17 crew, 22 scientists

NOAAS Okeanos Explorer (R 337) is a converted United States Navy ship (formerly USNS Capable (T-AGOS-16)), now an exploratory vessel for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), officially launched in 2010.[1] Starting in 2010, NOAA entered into a five-year partnership with the San Francisco Exploratorium. The focus is on gathering scientific information about oceans for the public as well as for scientific uses. As much as 95% of the ocean remains unexplored, NOAA officials said.[2] The ship is equipped with cameras and will provide real-time viewing of the ocean floor for scientists and for the public.[1]

This is a pioneering use of what NOAA calls "telepresence technology".[3] The Okeanos Explorer is the only vessel owned by the U.S. government that is dedicated to exploring the seabed and ocean crust.[4] The ship is named after Okeanos, the Ancient Greek god of the sea, from which also comes the word "ocean".

  1. ^ a b "New high-tech ship will take ocean exploration to new, amazing depths". www.mercurynews.com. Retrieved 2009-08-09.[dead link]
  2. ^ Kerr, Dara. "Okeanos Explorer to delve the depths of the seas". news.cnet.com. Archived from the original on August 4, 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
  3. ^ Martinez, Catalina Martinez. "NOAA Ocean Explorer: Okeanos Explorer: A New Paradigm for Exploration: Telepresence". oceanexplorer.noaa.gov. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
  4. ^ "Telepresence Technology — Office of Ocean Exploration and Research". explore.noaa.gov. Archived from the original on 2009-08-22. Retrieved 2009-08-09.

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