R/V EWING Replacement Plan

The EWING refit workshop resulted in a set of three options being presented to NSF concerning the way forward. The most exciting of these options was the possibility of acquiring a used industry seismic vessel capable of towing multiple streamers. Following multiple discussions with Lamont Steering Committee members and with NSF leadership the decision was made to submit a proposal to NSF requesting funds to purchase and outfit a highly capable used commercial seismic vessel. Negotiations with a major industry partner secured an agreement for purchase of a recently constructed vessel [M/V Western Legend] that will, after conversion, be capable of towing four 6-kilometer long streamers. Newly created laboratory spaces will be substantially superior to those available on EWING and deck space configurations can be optimized for ocean bottom seismometer handling operations or general oceanography.

The decision to fund this proposal was made by NSF in June 2004. EWING science operations ended in early 2005, The new vessel transited to the shipyard to begin conversion in late February, 2006, and then transited to Galveston, TX for final science outfitting. Langseth should enter the UNOLS fleet sometime during late summer 2007, and operations in support of funded proposals may begin in September, 2007.