New large ships will be much more capable than their predecessors. They will be longer and 

 wider. They will carry more scientists and have more laboratory space and scientific storage. 

 They will be faster, with more efficient power plants and hulls, and their range and endurance 

 will be longer. They will cost less to operate and significantly less per scientist day. Most 

 importantly, they will allow scientific work in sea conditions that are beyond the capabilities of 

 the present fleet. Table G.2 compares the present large-ship fleet with the new ships 

 recommended in the UNOLS Report. 



TABLE G.2 

 THE AVERAGE LARGE SHIP 



Number in Fleet 

 Length Overall (ft.) 

 Beam (ft.) 



Displacement (tons) 

 Speed (knots) 

 Range (nautical miles) 

 Endurance (days) 

 Crew 

 Scientists 

 Lab Space (sq.ft.) 

 Deck Space (sq.ft.) 

 Sci. Storage (cu.ft.) 

 Days At Sea 

 Operational Cost ($M) 

 Daily Rate 

 Scientist Days " 

 Cost/Scientist Day 



Present 



7 



220 



41 



1,730 



10 



10,000 



40 



23 



23 



1,300 



2,000 



4,200 



270 



$2.8 



$10,370 



43,470 



$450 



Future 



8 



255 



56 



3,000 



15 



13,000 



53 



18 



28 (43w/vans) 



4,000 



5,000 



16,250 



270 



$2.6* 



$9,630 



75,600 



$275 



% Change 



+14 



+14 



+37 



+73 



+50 



+30 



+39 



-22 



+22(+87) 



+310 



+250 



+387 







-7 



-7 



+174 



-39 



* Assumptions: Constant Dollars; 



Crew decreases by 22 %; 



Fuel decreases by 15 % (efficient engines and hull); 



Supplies increase by 20 % (in proportion to people); and 



Other costs remain unchanged. 



23 Scientists per day now; 35 in the future. 



Six of the seven large ships in the present academic fleet were built and are owned by the U.S. 

 Navy - Conrad, Thompson, Washington, Knorr, Melville, and Moana Wave. Present Navy plans 

 for the late 1980's call for construction of two new large ships for academic research plus 

 modernization of the Knorr and Melville. If realized, these plans should meet the UNOLS 

 construction schedule for 1985-1989 and provide the research platforms needed for the late 

 1980's as the Global Ocean Studies and Ocean Lithosphere Studies initiatives are ramping up. The 

 Navy has no plans for additional construction of academic research vessels beyond 1 990. 



66 



