By 2020, Benny Beaver will ride on a new Oceanigraphic Research ship that will be one of the finest in the world, says Oregon State University Regional Project Manager Damian Bailey to Greater Corvallis Rotarians, who met Friday, Dec. 2 at the Corvallis Country Club. The ship will be “versatile”, “efficient”, and 193 feet long.
The National Science Foundation has approved the design and funding for the ship. Construction could start as soon at June 15, 2017.
The vessel can carry 30 scientists for 3, 6, and 12-month adventures to study various aspects of oceanography, using the ship’s sophisticated sonars. “The ship is capable of traveling all the way to Guam on one tank of gas,” said Bailey. It puts Oregon State University on the forefront of design and construction of the next class of ocean-going research vessels.
