RV Robert Gordon Sproul

Last updated
2024 rvrobertgordonsproul marfac.jpg
RV Robert Gordon Sproul in Point Loma in 2024
History
Flag of the United States.svgUnited States
NameRobert Gordon Sproul
Namesake Robert Gordon Sproul, first president of the University of California
Owner Regents of the University of California [1]
Operator Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO), University of California, San Diego
BuilderSteiner Fabricators, Bayou La Batre, Alabama [2]
Launched1981
Acquiredby SIO, 27 July 1984
Renamed1984 from Midnight Alaskan [2]
Homeport Point Loma, San Diego, California
Identification
StatusActive
General characteristics
Type UNOLS coastal/local research vessel [3]
Tonnage85  GT
Displacement696 long tons (707  t) [1]
Length125 ft (38.1 m) [1]
Beam32 ft 5 in (9.9 m) [1]
Draft9.5 ft (2.9 m) [1]
Decks3
PropulsionDual fixed-pitch propellers 675  hp (503  kW) Detroit Diesel [1]
Speed8.5 knots (15.7 km/h; 9.8 mph)
Range4,300 nmi (8,000 km; 4,900 mi) at 8.5 kn [1]
Endurance
  • 21 days (provisions)
  • 14 days (fuel) [1]
Capacity
  • 340 sq ft (32 m2) lab space [1]
  • Provision for 1 20 ft (6.1 m) lab van
  • Fuel: 25,000 US gal (95,000 L) [1]
Crew5 civilian mariners; 12 scientific party [1]

RV Robert Gordon Sproul, sometimes shortened to Sproul, is a research vessel operated by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) as part of the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) fleet. [3] The ship is named after Robert Gordon Sproul, the first system-wide president of the University of California.

Contents

Construction

The RV Sproul was constructed in Bayou La Batre, Alabama by Steiner Fabricators in 1981 under the name of Midnight Alaskan. [2] It was built using a modified gulf coast design for use by oil rig companies.

Acquisition by Scripps

The vessel was purchased by Scripps director William Nierenberg on July 27, 1984, as a replacement for the outgoing RV E. B. Scripps. [4] She was purchased from the chartering firm Midnight Boats, based in Louisiana, with SIO using the marine broker company Marcon International, Inc. [5] After being purchased, she was renamed after Robert Gordon Sproul and underwent a number of modifications for increased scientific research along the Coast of California and Gulf of California.

She departed Louisiana in August and embarked on her first scientific cruise to study seals near the Yucatán Peninsula, then traveling through the Panama Canal and docking in San Diego in October 1984. [4]

In 1991, then-captain Louis Zimm estimated the ship to be valuated at $3 million. [6]

Between September 2014 and December 2015, Sproul completed all operations using 100% biofuel. [7]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "R/V Robert Gordon Sproul Specifications Scripps Institution of Oceanography". scripps.ucsd.edu.
  2. 1 2 3 "Scripps Institution Acquires Another Research Vessel". No. 18. Maritime Reporter. September 15, 1984.
  3. 1 2 "UNOLS Designated Vessels". University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System.
  4. 1 2 Colgan, Chuck (27 July 1984). "SCRIPPS/UCSD PURCHASES NEW RESEARCH VESSEL" (PDF). UCSD News.
  5. Haun, Eric (25 November 2015). "Scripps Sells Oceanographic Research Vessel". MarineLink. Maritime Activity Reports, Inc.
  6. Brizzolara, John (27 November 1991). "A Scripps odyssey on the research vessel Robert Gordon Sproul | San Diego Reader". www.sandiegoreader.com. San Diego Reader.
  7. Hook, Brittany (13 June 2016). "Ship voyages on 100 percent renewable biofuel for 1 year". University of California.