R/V Hugh R Sharp

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R/V Hugh R Sharp, shown after delivery to U/D Marine Operations in Lewes, DE.

The Research Vessel (R/V) Hugh R Sharp is a ship owned and operated by the University of Delaware Marine and Earth Studies Campus in Lewes, Delaware. The R/V Hugh R Sharp is the University of Delaware replacement vessel for the R/V Cape Henlopen.

At 150 feet, Hugh R Sharp is a mid-sized research vessel designed for expeditions lasting up to 21 days. The ship spends most of its time working in the Mid-Atlantic costal region. The Hugh R Sharp was delivered to the University of Delaware in the December of 2005, and the first scientific voyage was undertaken in March of 2006 after extensive shakedown cruises and equipment calibrations. She is operated by a crew of 8 and accommodates a scientific party of 22 for up to 21 days at sea.

One of the Hugh R Sharp's unique capabilities is she has a hydraulically removable keel which can be dropped in transit to deploy sonar’s. Each transducer well is mounted which mission specific load outs of sonar arrays, whether side scan, surface mapping or otherwise.

The ship was designed by Bay Marine, Inc. of Barrington, RI. in cooperation with University of Delaware Marine Operations Director Matthew J. Hawkins. The Sharp was constructed by Dakota Creek Industries of Anacortes, WA. The name of the ship is drawn from Hugh R Sharp, an alumina from the University of Delaware and longtime supporter of ocean research by the University of Delaware. His estate split the cost of the vessel with the University of Delaware.