Research Vessel Urraca

Details of Characteristics and Capabilities

II. Science Support

Science Berths: 9 total; 8 in 4 double occupancy cabins in lower deck, 2 with en suite heads, 2 with en suite head+shower combination; 1 chief scientist cabin on main deck with en suite head+shower

Science store: 9.5m2 air-conditioned space with 7 cft top-loading freezers for specimens, benches, storage cabinets; 110V & 220V single phase 24 VDC and 12 VDC (if requested in advance) electrical outlets.

Main Salon: 18.5m2, for office work (outside meal hours); 110V UPS stabilized power; one laptop for general use. It also can be connected to a color printer. These computers can also be used in the computer office.

Open rear deck: This 6m x 5.43 m area provides: (i) a freshwater shower and hoses; (ii) a starboard site supplied with running seawater taps (s/steel piping, a plastic pump and plastic taps) that can accommodate either a sorting table (1.77m wide x 0.15m deep x 0.76 m long) with a woven SS wire mesh screen floor (1.25cm mesh size); or one of two seawater tables (each 1.8m long x 0.8m wide; one 30cm deep, one 45cm deep; each has 3 internal removable baffle plates that can be used to control water slosh). A set of canvas canopies can be installed over the forward 2/3 of the rear deck to provide shade and wind protection. Lights are installed to facilitate night work – fluorescent lights in the canopied area, a spotlight above the Aframe winch, and two high-intensity lights on the Aframe.

Research A-Frame: 14,000 lbs structural capacity, 5,000 lbs lifting capacity, 14 ft vertical clearance, 8 ft throat-width up to 4 ft above deck

Hydrographic Winch: Dynacon electro-active level-wind winch with 7,000 lbs intermittent and 5,000 lbs continuous line pull, with 1,300 m of 3/8" 3x19 strand galvanized oceanographic cable

Notes about A-frame sampling: The Chief Scientist must inform the ship’s office (in the cruise plan) of the anticipated extent of A-frame sampling (levels of day & night activity) so the workload on ship’s personnel can be properly planned. The A-frame and winch are operated by one of the ship’s engineers. Science personnel are responsible for manhandling samplers on and off the ship under normal circumstances, and the ship’s crew can be expected to participate in such activity only in an emergency. The following minimum numbers of science personnel are needed to deploy and retrieve samplers: Dredge -3 persons (4 if the ship is moving a lot due to weather conditions). Grab - 3 persons (4 if the ship is moving a lot due to weather conditions). Trawl – 4 persons. Plankton net – 2 persons.

SCUBA Compressor (2): Bauer K13, 10.8 cfm; Bauer E3, 5.5 cfm; 25 X 80cft Aluminum SCUBA tanks; Diving weights: 2-5 lbs (49); DAN Oxygen Kits and First-Aid Kits.

Work/Emergency Boats:

Computers: (in computer office): (1) Dell Desktop 8100; (1) Dell Latitude Laptop; Scanner/Printer/Copier: HP Officejet G55

Recreational: LCD Flat screen TV LG 20"; VHF Samsung & DVD; JVC Radio, CD & Tape

Electrical System: A split-buss main electrical panel enables simultaneous and dedicated uses of all three generators, providing the ability to provide isolated and clean power for sensitive instruments. Electrical power is available in the science areas as follows: