Research Vessels
In a real sense, the laboratory extends into the waterways, bays, rivers
and Gulf of Mexico from its base on Sabine Island. Its central location
to the northern shore of the Gulf of Mexico provides the laboratory with
unique geographical advantages.
One obvious advantage is our proximity to the organisms and sites
of primary interest to EPA's Gulf of Mexico Program. We are within a
one day drive of most of the United States Gulf of Mexico coastline
and within two days of the remaining distance. This provides us with
the ability to quickly collect and return live organisms and time-sensitive
samples to the laboratory for immediate analysis, usually within the
same workday. In addition, our proximity allows comparative field and
laboratory studies to be conducted without extensive travel time and
significant relocation of scientific equipment. Also, since the laboratory
is located on a barrier island off of West Florida, ambient mesocosm
studies can be performed with little or no difference from the desired
natural conditions.
Description of GED Research Vessels
| power: |
15 HP outboard motor |
| specialized features: |
none |
| electronics: |
none |
| capacity (personnel): |
2 - 3 |
| gear: |
light |
| draft: |
12" |
| use: |
shallow streams, rivers, and estuaries |
| restrictions: |
not recommended for open water. |
| power: |
60 HP outboard |
| specialized features: |
none |
| electronics: |
VHF radio, depth sounder |
| capacity (personnel): |
2 - 3 |
| gear: |
moderate |
| draft: |
12" |
| use: |
rivers, shallow open water bays, and estuaries |
| restrictions: |
inshore operations, not recommended for deep open water. |
| power: |
115 HP outboard |
| specialized features: |
portable boom and winch attachment, trim tabs, raw water washdown,
compass |
| electronics: |
VHF radio, depth sounder, harness for Northstar GPS |
| capacity (personnel): |
2 - 3 |
| gear: |
moderate - heavy |
| draft: |
18" |
| use: |
rivers, open water bays, and estuaries |
| restrictions: |
inshore operations. |
| power: |
200 HP outboard |
| specialized features: |
portable boom and winch attachment, raw water washdown, bow pulpit,
compass, diver door |
| electronics: |
VHF radio, depth sounder, Northstar GPS |
| capacity (personnel): |
3 - 4 |
| gear: |
moderate - heavy |
| draft: |
24" |
| use: |
open water bays, estuaries, and coastal nearshore |
| restrictions: |
nearshore operations, requires specialized boat operator |
- 25' Boston Whaler "Frontier"
| power: |
twin 200 HP outboards |
| specialized features: |
portable boom and winch attachment, raw water washdown, compass,
diver door, wheel house |
| electronics: |
VHF radio, color depth sounder, Northstar GPS, cellular telephone,
radar |
| capacity (personnel): |
4 - 5 |
| gear: |
heavy |
| draft: |
36" |
| use: |
open water bays, estuaries, and coastal |
| restrictions: |
limited offshore operations, requires specialized boat operator |
| power: |
300 HP I/O Diesel |
| specialized features: |
hydraulic boom and winch assembly, raw water washdown, compass,
wheel house, raised aft deck |
| electronics: |
VHF radio, color depth sounder, Northstar GPS, cellular telephone,
radar |
| capacity (personnel): |
4 - 5 |
| gear: |
heavy |
| draft: |
36" |
| use: |
open water bays, estuaries, and inshore coastal |
| restrictions: |
no offshore operations, requires specialized boat operator |
| power: |
375 HP I/O Gasoline |
| specialized features: |
hydraulic boom and winch assembly, raw water washdown, compass,
wheel house, raised aft deck |
| electronics: |
VHF radio, color depth sounder, Northstar GPS, cellular telephone,
radar |
| capacity (personnel): |
4 - 5 |
| gear: |
heavy |
| draft: |
36" |
| use: |
open water bays, estuaries, and inshore coastal |
| restrictions: |
no offshore operations, requires specialized boat operator |
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