AGOR 27: The Future of Research Ships

On Aug. 17, 2012, construction on the AGOR 27 and AGOR 28, two new high-tech oceanography ships, began in Dakota Creek, Washington. Woods Hole Oceanography Institute and the U.S. Office of Naval Research will be operating these ships in order to gain a better knowledge of the vast ocean that still has yet to be fully explored. The ships are expected to be finished in late-2014. 


WHOI is a leading institute in oceanography studies, and currently operates numerous oceanography-research vessels, as well as submersible vehicles.

The first ship, AGOR 27, "will represent the latest technology and will serve a pressing need for a general-purpose ship based on the East coast of the United States." The design will allow for the ship to "sail at a sustained speed of 12 knots with 20 berths allotted for crew members and 24 for scientists." One reason why oceanography is the future of the humanity is the simple fact that up to 40% of the world’s population lives within 100 kilometers of the coast. A better knowledge of the oceans will also provide more information and data that could help in future military-related missions. Newer, more technologically advanced ships are better because they replace "the currently aging ships with vessels of global endurance, current technological capability, and optimized number of science berths."


Picture representation of the AGOR 27

Original Article:
http://www.maritime-executive.com/article/construction-begins-on-newest-ocean-research-ship