Dear Friends and Colleagues,
This fall finds MBARI at a crossroads as we bid farewell to our flagship research vessel, the Western Flyer, and prepare to welcome its replacement, the David Packard, into our fleet next year.
After more than 500 research cruises, the Western Flyer completed its final mission for MBARI in September. The Western Flyer will sail to Florida in early January 2023 after undergoing shipyard maintenance and begin an important new chapter inspiring and educating a new generation of ocean explorers with the Florida Institute of Oceanography.
While the Western Flyer prepares to set sail for the Gulf Coast, we marked a major milestone in construction of our new state-of-the-art research vessel last month. The vessel’s exterior structure is now complete, and the ship has been launched into the water. The shipyard now turns to the interior build-out—installing the systems and equipment that will support the vessel’s critical functions and scientific research on board.
MBARI’s work wouldn’t be possible without the support of our marine operations team, who crew our vessels. Thanks to their leadership and support at sea and on shore, we’re able to deploy remotely operated vehicles and autonomous robots to reveal the secrets that lie beneath the ocean’s surface.
See you on the water,
The MBARI team
|
|
Construction of MBARI’s new flagship
research vessel reaches major milestone
|
|
|
|
Last fall, MBARI kicked off construction on our new state-of-the-art research vessel. Named for MBARI’s founder, the R/V David Packard is being built at Freire Shipyard in Vigo, Spain. Work on the new ship reached a major milestone last month as shipbuilders launched the vessel into the water to begin its next phase of construction. Much work still remains on the project. Next, the Freire team will begin outfitting the ship’s interior, transitioning their focus to the vessel’s internal science and engineering systems. Construction will be complete in summer 2023, then the vessel will sail from Freire’s shipyard in Spain to MBARI’s research facilities in Moss Landing, California. MBARI will begin science operations in late 2023. Dive in.
|
|
|
Weird and wonderful
Abyssal comb jelly
Beroe abyssicola
This predator’s pretty pink color is clever camouflage. Watch here.
|
|
Creature feature
Rattail fish
Family Macrouridae
Super senses help a rattail thrive in darkness. Learn more.
|
|
New partnership advances DNA-detecting technology to help monitor aquatic health
|
|
|
|
Invasive species, pathogens, and parasites can cause ecological and economic damage to our nation’s rivers and streams. MBARI and the US Geological Survey are developing a new robotic sampler that uses environmental DNA, or eDNA, to detect these threats. Building on MBARI’s groundbreaking Environmental Sample Processor, this new robotic technology will have a compact and nimble design for deployment in waterways across the country. The eDNA robot will take samples frequently and share its data with researchers and resource managers. The Rapid eDNA Assessment and Deployment Initiative and Network, or READI-Net, will help improve monitoring of aquatic ecosystems. Read more.
|
|
|
MBARI in the news
What do gaming and artificial intelligence have in common?
Find out here.
|
|
MBARI on TikTok
This spectacular snailfish made a splash on our newest social media channel. Watch here.
|
|
MBARI and Florida Institute of Oceanography announce new chapter for research vessel
|
|
|
|
After 25 years as MBARI’s flagship research vessel, the Western Flyer will begin a new chapter with the Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO). MBARI is granting the Western Flyer to the University of South Florida, which hosts FIO, for use as a sailing classroom, providing an opportunity for students who dream of a career in ocean science, engineering, and marine operations to learn about the ocean. Learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
