Research and survey boat 77′

catamaraninboardaluminum

All American Marine, Inc. (AAM) has constructed a cutting edge aluminum research and survey vessel for the Duke University Marine Lab. The R/V Shearwater is a hydrofoil-assisted catamaran and is an exemplary arrangement from Teknicraft Design. AAM is the exclusive builder of Teknicraft Design hulls in North America. The 77’ x 26.5’ vessel was based upon two successful Teknicraft Design vessels AAM built for NOAA. Teknicraft’s dynamic hydrofoil-assisted hull design is proven to have industry-leading low-wake wash energy and fuel economy. The vessel is powered by twin Tier 3 CAT C18 “D” ACERT engines, rated at 803 bhp/2100 rpm. The vessel has a cruising speed of 24 knots. The vessel has liveaboard accommodations for 14 persons. Driven by twin fixed pitch propellers, this research vessel can accommodate up to 30 passengers and is constructed and certified under USCG Subchapter “T” regulations. The vessel allows marine scientists from DUML and other institutions to conduct research along the Atlantic seaboard in a wide range of fields including marine ecology and conservation, biological oceanography, and renewable energy ocean development. The Duke Marine Lab is a year-round teaching and research campus located on Pivers Island in Beaufort, North Carolina. It offers academic programs at the doctoral, masters and undergraduate levels, and is home to the Nicholas School of the Environment Marine Science and Conservation programs. The vessel was procured as part of an $11 million gift for the construction and operation of a new state-of-the-art research vessel that will expand teaching, research and outreach capabilities at the Marine Lab.