RV Blue Heron
 The RV Blue Heron at Superior, Wisconsin | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | Blue Heron |
| Namesake | Great blue heron |
| Owner | University of Minnesota Duluth |
| Operator | University of Minnesota Duluth/Large Lakes Observatory |
| Port of registry | Duluth, Minnesota |
| Launched | 1985 |
| Acquired | 1997 |
| Renamed | Fairtry: 1985–1997 Blue Heron: 1997–present |
| Status | in active service |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Research vessel |
| Displacement | 278 long tons (282 t) |
| Length | 86 ft 3 in (26.29 m) |
| Beam | 23 ft 4 in (7.11 m) |
| Draft | 12 ft (3.7 m) |
| Decks | 3 |
| Installed power | 1 × Caterpillar 3508TA diesel |
| Propulsion | 1 x stainless steel prop |
| Speed | 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) maximum |
| Endurance | 21 days |
| Crew | 5 crew, 6 scientists |
RV Blue Heron is a research vessel serving on the Laurentian Great Lakes. She is owned by the University of Minnesota Duluth, and operated by the Large Lakes Observatory in partnership with the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System.[1] The Blue Heron is the largest research ship owned by a university operating on the Great Lakes, and the second-smallest UNOLS vessel by LOA.[2]
History
The Blue Heron was built in 1985 as a fishing vessel and christened Fairtry before being purchased by the University of Minnesota in 1997 and converted to a research vessel for deployment in 1998.[3] The ship will celebrate its 25th year of scientific service in 2023.
Activities
The Blue Heron conducts limnological research on the five Great Lakes throughout the ice-free season. Its capabilities include water and sediment sampling and analysis, sensor launching and retrieval, and radar/sonar scanning.[4] In addition to its research capabilities, the ship also hosts public science outreach and education events in Duluth and other communities.[5]
References
- ^ "UNOLS Designated Vessels | UNOLS". www.unols.org. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
- ^ "Blue Heron | Swenson College of Science and Engineering". scse.d.umn.edu. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
- ^ "A Great Lake voyage aboard the R/V Blue Heron". Science Buzz. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
- ^ Large Lakes Observatory University of Minnesota, Duluth. "Research Vessel BLUE HERON Cruise Planning Manual" (PDF).
- ^ "LLO Science on Deck | Swenson College of Science and Engineering". scse.d.umn.edu. Retrieved 2022-11-11.