Research Vessel Urraca

Ship Capabilities and Science Facilities

The R/V Urraca is a 29.36m long, single screw, general-purpose research vessel, with a crew of five and accommodations for scientific parties of up to nine. This fiberglass-hulled vessel was built in 1986 in the UK as an archeological research vessel, and launched in 1987. The ship was purchased by and began service for STRI in 1994. In 2002 the vessel underwent a major refit, which included the renewal of many on-board systems, including the replacement of most of the navigation instruments. The ship is based at the Naos Marine Laboratory, at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal , adjacent to Panama City, the capital of the Republic of Panama .

Working on deck

A-frame sampling from rear platform

All internal areas of the R/V Urraca are airconditioned. The lower deck contains cabins for the crew and science party, engineering spaces, the laundry and the science storeroom. The main deck has the captain's and chief scientist's cabins, the galley, separate crew and scientist salons, the ship's office/computer room and the rear working deck. The rear deck has the SCUBA compressors, the science winch and A-frame and seawater/sorting tables. Overboard access is through the transom, attached to which there is a large diving platform mounted at the water line. The upper deck has the bridge and the mate's cabin forward, the flying bridge, and the crane and two workboats at the rear.

A controllable pitch propeller system and bow-thruster allow infinite control of speed and excellent station keeping in sea conditions up to state 4. The vessel's shallow draft (8.3ft maximum) permits operations in nearshore shallow waters.

Inmarsat -B provides telephone, high-capacity email, telex and fax communications and Inmarsat -C provides low -capacity email contact. Cellular telephones, single sideband and VHF radios complete the communications outfit.

Two scuba compressors are available, a primary 10.8 cfm unit and a secondary 5.5 cfm unit. These, plus 25 X 80cft aluminum scuba tanks, DAN Oxygen and First Aid Kits, and dive weights provide adequate diving capacity for 9 divers.

A 30hp electro-hydraulic oceanographic winch, with electro-active level wind and 1,300 meters of 3X19 strand 3/8" galvanized oceanographic cable is capable of 3,000 lb. continuous and 7,000 lb. intermittent line-pull at 200 ft per minute at bare drum. The winch has instruments at the control station to monitor line speed, line out, and line tension. As an aid to users a set of 3 LCD displays on the back deck that are connected to bridge instruments show current position, speed and depth. The stern A-frame has 8' clear width to 5' above deck and 13'6" clearance height under sheave, a 14,000 lb safe working load and 5,000 lb lift capacity.

An articulating boom crane with a maximum capacity of 7,700 lbs. is installed on the boat deck. With extensions fitted, this crane has the capability for work over the stern.

Working on deck

Urraca at Coiba Island, Panama

Two 5-meter Avon Rigid Inflatable Boats are available: one with a 50HP 2-stroke engine and the other with a 40 hp 4-stroke engine. It may be possible to carry additional workboats on deck if needed, provided arrangements are made through the Vessel Superintendent well in advance of the cruise.

Science work areas include a science store, the main salon, the computer office and the rear deck.