BEAUFORT, N.C. – After years of planning and building, a new Duke Marine Lab Research vessel named “Shearwater” arrived in Beaufort today.
- In 2017, the marine lab received an $11 million grant to build the 77 foot catamaran
- The ship will be primarily used for research and education
- The Shearwater will travel to Florida at the end of the month and then return to Beaufort permanently
In 2017, the marine lab received an $11 million grant to build the 77 foot catamaran.
The crew says the vessel is fast, stable, and built to withstand overnight and off shore travel.
Duke Marine Lab Operations Manager John Wilson has been a part of this project for several years.
“We first started talking about a boat like this maybe ten years ago, and to see that develop into something concrete is a once in a lifetime experience,” Wilson said.
The ship will be mainly used for research and education but can be chartered by other organizations.
Wilson says this project will help the community and our oceans.
“Obviously at Duke Marine Lab we think a lot about ocean issues and how impacts on the ocean affects the planet as a whole and we feel it’s important to share that with the local community at large,” Wilson said.
The Shearwater will travel to Florida at the end of December and then will be permanently docked in Beaufort.