How does a coastal research vessel differ from other types of research vessels?
As the name implies, a coastal research vessel is designed and outfitted for oceanographic work close to shore, so it is typically smaller and faster than large ships. Tioga, the newest member of the fleet at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, measures 60 feet and cruises at 17 knots. Large oceanographic vessels are slower than Tioga. For example, R/VAtlantis measures 274 feet and travels about 11 knots. Speed allows Tioga to operate in narrower weather windows, meaning that, when faced with an approaching storm, the vessel can quickly go out to sea, complete research, and make it back before the wind and rain. Two crew members – a captain and a first mate – are required to operate the vessel, while the larger ships at WHOI need between 12 and 25 crew members for operation. Less shore support is required to operate Tioga, and the vessel also occupies less space at the dock. How is the vessel similar to the larger research ships? Size and speed are the obvious differences, but in
