The R/V Marcus G. Langseth is a 235 ft, 3834 gross ton research vessel which is owned by the National Science Foundation and operated by Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University. The R/V Langseth replaces the R/V Maurice Ewing , which ended a distinguished career in early 2005.
The R/V Marcus G. Langseth is classed by the American Bureau of Shipping as A-1 Baltic Ice Class IA and Coast Guard inspected; certificated to carry a total of 55 personnel of which approximately 20 are the ship's crew.
Originally constructed as a seismic vessel the Langseth was acquired in 2004, modified, and outfitted to perform the tasks required of a general purpose research vessel. This includes hull mounted 3.5 kHz Sub-Bottom Profiler, 12 kHz transducers, and a Simrad 1x1 degree deep ocean multibeam swath bottom mapping system. Later, in 2006, the Langseth added on the Kongsberg EM122 Multibeam array transducers for 3D multibeam surveying.
Particularly unique to the academic research vessel are the extensive geophysical capabilites which include a Secret SealXI (408) seismic recording system with four 6.75 km of Sentinel Solid Acquisition Section (SSAS) 3 kHz solid-state hydrophone streamer cable and a 2000 psi, 40 pneumatic sound source array towed in four "strings" that can be configured either as a single, 2D source or dual, alternating 3D source arrays.
The R/V Marcus G. Langseth started conducting science operations offshore as of February 2008.
Specifications
| Built: | 1991 | Speed Cruising: | 11kts |
| Yard Built: | Ulstein (Norway) | Speed Full: | 13kts |
| Length (LOA) | 71.5m / 235 ft | Speed working: | 0-11 kts |
| Beam(moulded): | 17.0m / 56 ft | Endurance | Job dependent |
| Draft(max): | 5.9m/ 19.5ft | Range | 13,500 nm |
| Gross Tonnage: | 3834 | Fuel capacity | 1340m3 (353760 gal) |
| Lightship Displacement: | 2578.4 | Fuel Type; | Marine Gas Oil |
| Crew | 20 | Bollard Pull | 86.2 mt |
| Scientific Personnel: | 35 | Laboratory, existing: | |
| Call Sign | WDC6698 | Seismic Lab | 218 m2/ 2345 ft2 |
| IMO Number; | 9010137 | Other labs | |
| Registration: | NY3360FG | Main Dk Stbd Dry Lab | 53 m2/570 ft2 |
| Main Dk Stbd Wet Lab | 57 m2/613 ft2 | ||
| Main Deck Pt Dry Lab | 54 m2/ 581 ft2 | ||
| A-Deck Fwd Dry Lab | 22 m2/ 237 ft2 | ||
| A-Deck Aft Dry Lab | 21 m2/ 226 ft2 | ||
| Propulsion | Geared Diesel | Propeller | 2 x Ducted Variable Pitch |
| Main Engines | 2 x Bergen BRG-6 | Ulstein 4 blades | |
| 2650kw /3550 hp (each) | Rudder | 2 x High Efficiency | |
| Main Generators | 2 x Shaft Generators | Becker Articulated | |
| 1665 KVA each | Seismic Air Source | 2 x Ariel JGK4 | |
| Harbor Generator | 1 x Diesel Generator 720 kw | Seismic Air Capacity | 2750 CFM @ 1950 psi each |
| Bowthruster | 1 x Tunnel 590 kw/ 800 hp | ||
| Ownership | The National Science Foundation | ||
| Operator | Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University | ||
| Classification: | ABS- A-1, Ice Class 1C, AMS | ||