RV Marcus Langseth


R/V Marcus G. Langseth, operated by the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
Career
Owner: National Science Foundation
Operator: Columbia University. Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
Builder: Ulstein (Norway)
Completed: 1991
Acquired: 2004
Notes: Originally constructed as a seismic vessel the Langseth was modified and outfitted to perform the tasks required of a general purpose research vessel.
General characteristics
Tonnage: 3834 gt.
Displacement: 2578.4
Length: 71.5m/ 235 ft
Beam: 17.0m/ 56 ft
Draft: 5.9m/ 19.5ft
Ice class: Baltic IA
Installed power: 2 x Shaft Generators 1665 KVA each
Propulsion: 2 x Bergen BRG-6 2650kw /3550 hp (each); 1 x Tunnel 590 kw/ 800 hp bow thruster
Speed: 11kts cruising, 13kts full
Crew: 20 crew, 35 scientific

R/V Marcus Langseth is research vessel owned by the National Science Foundation and operated by the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO) of Columbia University as a part of the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) fleet.[1][2] The Marcus G. Langseth was dedicated on December 4 2007, came into service in early 2008, replacing the R/V Maurice Ewing.[3] Langseth is intended primarily to collect multichannel seismic data, including 3-D surveys. The ship was purchased from the geophysical survey company WesternGeco in 2004, having previously been named M/V Western Legend.

The Marcus Langseth was named for Marcus G. Langseth, a Lamont scientist.

In March 2009 Chinese authorities denied the vessel permission to pass between Taiwan and China.[4]

In August 2009, Marcus Langseth has been named in a Canadian lawsuit seeking to halt its seismic tomography experiment.[5] The lawsuit was dismissed, diplomatic clearance was issued and the ship sailed after a delay of a day.[6][7]

References

  1. ^ "University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System: UNOLS Vessels". University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System. http://www.unols.org/info/vessels.htm.  mirror
  2. ^ "Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory: R/V Marcus G. Langseth". http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/res/fac/oma/langseth/index.html.  mirror
  3. ^ "New Seismic Vessel Will Look Deep Under Oceans". Science Daily. 2007-12-04. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071204180534.htm. Retrieved 2011-11-02. "The academic community's most advanced seismic-research vessel was dedicated here today, opening potential new windows on natural hazards, earth's evolution, and other vital questions. The R/V Marcus G. Langseth, owned by the U.S. National Science Foundation, will generate CAT-scan-like 3D images of magma chambers, faults and other structures miles below the world's seabeds. To be used by dozens of cooperating institutions, it will be operated for NSF by Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory."  mirror
  4. ^ Jane Qiu (2009-03-31). "China denies US ship access to Taiwan Strait". Nature News. http://www.nature.com/news/2009/090331/full/news.2009.216.html. Retrieved 2011-11-02. "The research vessel Marcus G. Langseth will have to steer clear of the waters that separate Taiwan from mainland China, after the Chinese government denied the US seismic research vessel permission to sail in the area."  mirror
  5. ^ "Lawsuit Seeks to Halt U.S. Blasts in Canadian Marine Protected Area". Environmental News Service. 2009-08-13. http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/aug2009/2009-08-13-01.asp. Retrieved 2011-11-02. "Two environmental groups are taking the Canadian government to court to stop loud seismic blasting by an American research vessel that threatens endangered and threatened whales in a Canadian marine protected area. U.S. researchers have asked Canada to grant a controversial seismic vessel access to the Endeavour Hydrothermal Vents, a marine protected area 250 kilometers (155 miles) off British Columbia's coast and a habitat of endangered blue whales, threatened fin whales, and other marine life."  mirror
  6. ^ William Wilcock. "The Campaign Against the Endeavour Tomography Study – A “Moral Victory” for Canadian Environmental Groups?". http://gore.ocean.washington.edu/research/etomo_evironmentalists_091809.pdf. Retrieved 2011-11-02.  mirror
  7. ^ "Federal court will not stop U.S. seismic testing in whale habitat off B.C. coast: The Federal Court of Canada on Thursday dismissed a request by environmental groups for a stay of the federal government's authorization of U.S. seismic surveys off the B.C. coast". Canada.com. 2009-08-28. http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastnews/story.html?id=463d3872-48e6-47ea-af21-faf8234e79e5. Retrieved 2011-11-02. "Justice Michael Kelen said he was not satisfied that the surveys would harm marine life based on new federal requirements imposed since the legal action was launched."  mirror

External links