RV Melville

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R/V Melville (AGOR-14) is a research vessel operated by Scripps Institution of Oceanography used for oceanographic research. The Melville was built at the Defoe Shipbuilding Company in Bay City, Michigan on the Great Lakes, and first launched on July 10, 1968. It was named for George Melville, a pioneer arctic explorer and Rear Admiral in the US Navy.

A crew of 23 keeps the ship operational, and up to 38 scientists can be accommodated for the purposes of the scientific expedition.

Her sister ship is the R/V Knorr.

[edit] Dimensions

Length: 279 feet (97 m)
Beam: 46 feet (14 m)
Draft (max): 16 feet 6 inches (5.0 m)
Gross Tonnage: 2,516 tons (7,125 m³)
Displacement: 2,944 long tons (2,991 t)

Laboratory Space: 2,636 sq. ft (245 m³)
Main Deck Working Area: 4,050 sq. ft (376 m³)
Freeboard: 12 feet (3.7 m)
Sewage System: MSD
Holding Tanks: 8,000 U.S. gallons (30,000 L)

[edit] Propulsion

Motors: Two 1,385 hp (1,033 kW) Propulsion General Electric
Bow Thruster: 900 hp (670 kW) retractable Azimuthing thruster
Propulsion: Two 1385 hp (1,033 kW) Z-Drive Lips
Water Capacity: 15,900 gallons (60,200 L)
Fuel consumption: 3,600 gallons per day (13,600 L/d) (transit)
Speed, Cruising: 11.7 knots (21.7 km/h)
Speed, Maximum: 14 knots (26 km/h)
Speed, Minimum: variable to 0, any direction
Endurance: 40 days at 11.7 knots (fuel)
Range: 10,061 nm (18,633 km, 11,578 mi) at 11.7 knots (fuel)

The Melville was used in the 1976 Movie "King Kong" starring Jessica Lange.It was used specifically because of its Hypoid propulsion drive[at that time],which allowed it to move sideways.This type of drive is used,on research vessels, for station keeping in the ocean over drill&coring sites.