NOAA currently operates a fleet of 15 research and survey vessels and is in the process of building more. These ships can be broken down into three general classifications of mission focus: hydrography, fisheries, and oceanography. However, the missions of a NOAA ship can change to adapt to the needs of the nation at any time.
Hydrographic vessels map the ocean to aid maritime commerce and aid in safe navigation. These vessels use a multibeam system to acquire incredibly accurate depth information and deploy smaller survey launches to map shallower areas. The use of state-of-the-art uncrewed systems is quickly growing on these platforms.
Fisheries vessels study marine life and ocean conditions. They utilize a diverse array of acoustic instruments, nets, and other tools to catch fish and plankton, collect water samples, and measure ocean conditions to assess the health of fish populations and living resources.
Oceanographic vessels are the most diverse group of ships. Their missions include conducting meteorological observation and sensor deployment, measuring ocean conditions, ocean exploration, and monitoring National Marine Sanctuaries. They also collect plankton and engage in mapping operations.
NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown. Credit: NOAA
NOAA Ship Fairweather
Homeport: Ketchikan, Alaska
Primary Operating Areas: Alaskan coastal waters
Primary Operations: Shipboard Hydrographic Mapping, Survey Launch Mapping
More information: NOAA Ship Fairweather Details
Social Media: Facebook Page
NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson
Homeport: Kodiak, Alaska
Primary Operating Areas: Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea
Primary Operations: Bottom Trawling, Plankton Tows, CTD, Mammal Surveys
More Information: NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson Details
Social Media: Facebook Page
NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette
Homeport: Honolulu, Hawaii
Primary Operating Areas: Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Marianas Islands
Primary Operations: Dive operations, Marine Mammal Surveys, Plankton Tows, Drop Cameras, Remote Field Camp Support
More Information: NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette Details
Social Media: Facebook Page
NOAA Ship Nancy Foster
Homeport: Charleston, South Carolina
Primary Operating Areas: U.S. East Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea
Primary Operations: ROV, Mapping, Small Boat Diving, Plankton tows, CTD
More Information: NOAA Ship Nancy Foster Details
Social Media: Facebook Page
NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada
Homeport: Newport, Oregon
Primary Operating Areas: U.S. West Coast, Gulf of Alaska
Primary Operations: Fisheries Acoustic Surveys, Midwater Trawling, Plankton Tows, CTDs
More Information: NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada Details
Social Media: Facebook Page
NOAA Ship Ferdinand R. Hassler
Homeport: New Castle, NH
Primary Operating Areas: U.S. East Coast, Gulf of Mexico
Primary Operations: Shipboard Hydrographic Mapping, Survey Launch Mapping
More Information: NOAA Ship Ferdinand R. Hassler Details
Social Media: Facebook Page
NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter
Homeport: Pascagoula, Mississippi
Primary Operating Areas: Gulf of Mexico, U.S. East Coast
Primary Operations: Marine Mammal Surveys, Marine Mammal Acoustic Surveys, Plankton Tows, CTDs, Buoy Deployment and Recovery.
More Information: NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter Details
Social Media: Facebook Page
NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow
Homeport: Newport, Rhode Island
Primary Operating Areas: U.S. East Coast
Primary Operations: Bottom Trawling, Plankton Tows, CTDs, ROV, Mammal Surveys
More Information: NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow Details
Social Media: Facebook Page
NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer
Homeport: Newport, Rhode Island
Primary Operating Areas: Global
Primary Operations: Ocean Exploration, ROV, Mapping
More Information: NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Details
Social Media: Facebook Page
NOAA Ship Oregon II
Homeport: Pascagoula, Mississippi
Primary Operating Areas: Gulf of Mexico, U.S. Southeast Coast
Primary Operations: Longlining, Plankton Tows, Bottom Trawling
More Information: NOAA Ship Oregon II Details
Social Media: Facebook Page
NOAA Ship Pisces
Homeport: Pascagoula, Mississippi
Primary Operating Areas: Gulf of Mexico, U.S. East Coast
Primary Operations: Fish Traps, Drop Cameras, CTD, Plankton Tows, Marine Mammal Surveys
More Information: NOAA Ship Pisces Details
Social Media: Facebook Page
NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson
Homeport: Norfolk, Virginia
Primary Operating Areas: U.S. East Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Great Lakes
Primary Operations: Shipboard Hydrographic Mapping, Survey Launch Mapping
More Information: NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson Details
Social Media: Facebook Page
NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown
Homeport: Charleston, South Carolina
Primary Operating Areas: Global
Primary Operations: Buoy Deployment and Recovery, CTDs, Meteorological Studies, Bottom Sampling
More Information: NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown Details
Social Media: Facebook Page
NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker
Homeport: San Diego, California
Primary Operating Areas: U.S. West Coast, Hawaii, Alaska
Primary Operations: Midwater Trawling, Fisheries Acoustic Surveys, Plankton Tows, CTDs
More Information: NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker Details
Social Media: Facebook Page
NOAA Ship Rainier
Homeport: Newport, Oregon
Primary Operating Areas: Alaskan coastal waters, Hawaii, American Samoa, Marianas Islands
Primary Operations: Shipboard Hydrographic Mapping, Survey Launch Mapping, Small Boat Diving
More Information: NOAA Ship Rainier Details
Social Media: Facebook Page
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