Next Generation Arctic Research Vessel On-track for Voyage of Discovery - Science Nation

The National Science Foundation (NSF), in cooperation with the Marinette Marine Corporation (MMC) and the University of Alaska, Fairbanks (UAF), has successfully launched the R/V Sikuliaq, a "next-generation" global class research vessel. MMC is the Wisconsin shipyard that built the ship, with funding provided by NSF through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. UAF's School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences will operate the ship as part of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet.

The new vessel's name, Sikuliaq, pronounced "see-KOO-lee-ack," is an Inupiat word meaning "young sea ice." Construction work on the R/V Sikuliaq will continue throughout the winter. The ship is expected to arrive at its home port of Seward, Alaska, by January 2014.

For high definition b-roll of the ship and construction, please contact Dena Headlee at dheadlee@nsf.gov.

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under grant numbers 0939812 and 1058367.

Miles O'Brien, Science Nation Correspondent
Kate Tobin, Science Nation Producer