SANCTUARY VESSEL

R/V Manta underway in February 2008 during sea trials. Photo: All American Marine

The R/V Manta is a brand new vessel with a long planning history. Input was provided by science and education staff, researchers and vessel operators. The end result is a design that should adequately support a majority of the sanctuary's anticipated activities.

Design Highlights:

• Double hull catamaran design
• 83' long, 30' wide
• Aluminum hull
• Interchangeable main deck space

Interchangeable main deck space on the R/V Manta with bolt-downs in a 2' by 2' pattern (August 2007)

• Berths for 14 crew and passengers
• Moon pool
• Observation deck
• State of the art dive platform
• 16' Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB)
• Nitrox equipped for diving operations
• Scientific winches (A-frame)
• Sea Keeper flow-through water monitoring system
• Wet lab and dry lab space
• Jet propulsion system
• 22-25 knot cruising speed under optimal conditions
• Networked computer system

Download a Manta Fact Sheet (324kb pdf).

R/V MANTA

Our new vessel is categorized as an SRV class (Small Research Vessel) within NOAA's fleet of vessels. This means that it is greater than 65 feet in overall length but weighs less than 300 gross tons. To date, it is the largest vessel in this class. Other sanctuary research vessels (R/V) in this class are:

• R/V Shearwater - Channel Islands NMS
• R/V Fulmar - Monterey Bay NMS
• R/V Auk - Stellwagen Bank NMS

Standard protocol is for SRV-class vessels to be named after seabirds, but the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary sought an exception to this as seabirds are not a predominant part of the sanctuary ecosystem. Instead, our new vessel is the R/V Manta, in recognition of the popular and much more representative manta rays residing in the sanctuary.

VESSEL DESIGN

In 2004, the sanctuary began planning for the possibility of a new vessel. Unlike the Point Glass, a converted Coast Guard cutter that served as the sanctuary's vessel from 2001-2006, a new vessel would be designed with the specific needs of the sanctuary in mind.

In 2006, the sanctuary was allocated funding to construct this research vessel. The sale of the Point Glass provided additional funding for this project.

NOAA Corps officer, Lindsay Kurelja was the staff person tasked with heading up the design phase of this project. Lindsay visited existing vessels in the National Marine Sanctuary Program, researched equipment and technology, and talked with sanctuary staff and researchers to determine what the "ideal" research vessel for the FGBNMS would look like.

From this, she created a list of design specifications. Technology Associates Inc. (TAI), out of New Orleans, Louisiana, was hired to make these design specifications into actual construction plans. Throughout the process there was a lot of discussion regarding the different options available.

TAI continues to work with the sanctuary as engineering consultants during the construction phase.

G.P. Schmahl, Lindsay Kurelja, Shelley DuPuy and Doug Weaver discuss the design of the Manta's back deck while standing in a mock-up created in a field near the Galveston office. String and folding chairs were used to get a feel for the size of the planned deck and the location of the dive benches. (December 2005)

VESSEL CONSTRUCTION

Actual construction of the R/V Manta began in early 2007.

The hull of the R/V Manta being constructed upside down. (May 2007)

As is customary, the hull of the Manta was first constructed upside down. Construction of the superstructure (pilot house, galley, berthing areas) took place simultaneously but separately. At a certain point in completion, the hull was then turned right side up and the superstructure attached on top.

As of September 2007, the Manta was a very recognizable vessel externally, with windows, ladders, access hatches, etc.

By October, significant progress had been made on cabinetry and other interior construction. Things are really taking shape!

On January 15, 2008 the R/V Manta hit the water for the first time, at the shipyard in Bellingham, WA.

The R/V Manta at dockside in Bellingham, Washington her first day in the water. (January 15, 2008)

There, she will undergo sea trials until the end of March. Once certified seaworthy and ready for transport, the Manta will then be placed aboard another vessel and literally "shipped" to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. From there, the Manta will be sailed under her own power to Galveston, TX. Stay tuned for information on her maiden voyage!

Final delivery of the R/V Manta to the Flower Garden Banks NMS offices in Galveston, TX is expected by May 2008. A dedication ceremony is currently being planned for June 30, 2008.

For a visual history of the R/V Manta throughout construction, please visit our Image Library.