RV Blue Heron

Last updated
RV Blue Heron.jpg
The RV Blue Heron at Superior, Wisconsin
History
NameBlue Heron
Namesake Great blue heron
Owner University of Minnesota Duluth
Operator University of Minnesota Duluth/Large Lakes Observatory
Port of registry Duluth, Minnesota
Launched1985
Acquired1997
RenamedFairtry: 1985–1997 Blue Heron: 1997–present
Statusin active service
General characteristics
Type Research vessel
Displacement278 long tons (282  t)
Length86 ft 3 in (26.29 m)
Beam23 ft 4 in (7.11 m)
Draft12 ft (3.7 m)
Decks3
Installed power1 × Caterpillar 3508TA diesel
Propulsion1 x stainless steel prop
Speed10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) maximum
Endurance21 days
Crew5 crew, 6 scientists

RV Blue Heron is a research vessel serving on the Laurentian Great Lakes. She is owned by the University of Minnesota Duluth, and operated by the Large Lakes Observatory in partnership with the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System. [1] The Blue Heron is the largest research ship owned by a university operating on the Great Lakes, and the second-smallest UNOLS vessel by LOA. [2]

Contents

History

The Blue Heron was built in 1985 as a fishing vessel and christened Fairtry before being purchased by the University of Minnesota in 1997 and converted to a research vessel for deployment in 1998. [3] The ship celebrated its 25th year of scientific service in 2023.

In September 2024 the crew discovered an unknown microorganism in a substance on the ship's rudder shaft while docked at the Great Lakes Shipyard in Cleveland, Ohio. Researchers gave the microorganism the placeholder name of "ShipGoo001". [4] [5]

Activities

The Blue Heron conducts limnological research on the five Great Lakes throughout the ice-free season. Its capabilities include water and sediment sampling and analysis, sensor launching and retrieval, and radar/sonar scanning. [6] In addition to its research capabilities, the ship also hosts public science outreach and education events in Duluth and other communities. [7]

References

  1. ↑ "UNOLS Designated Vessels | UNOLS". www.unols.org. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
  2. ↑ "Blue Heron | Swenson College of Science and Engineering". scse.d.umn.edu. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
  3. ↑ "A Great Lake voyage aboard the R/V Blue Heron". Science Buzz. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
  4. ↑ "Scientists discover new life aboard Great Lakes research vessel" (Press release). University of Minnesota Duluth. June 27, 2025. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  5. ↑ Krouse, Peter (July 3, 2025). "Mysterious life form found on ship that docked in Cleveland". The Plain Dealer . Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  6. ↑ Large Lakes Observatory University of Minnesota, Duluth. "Research Vessel BLUE HERON Cruise Planning Manual" (PDF).
  7. ↑ "LLO Science on Deck | Swenson College of Science and Engineering". scse.d.umn.edu. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.