R/V Langseth Specs

R/V Marcus G. Langseth Vessel Description

Image: R/V Langseth at sea

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.  Langseth replaces R/V Maurice Ewing , which ended a distinguished career in early 2005.

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 and 12 khz transducers and a Simrad 1x1 degree deep ocean multibeam swath bottom mapping system.

Particularly unique to the academic research vessel are the Marcus Langseth's extensive geophysical capabilites which include a Syntrak 960-24 seismic recording system with four 6km 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.

R/V Marcus G. Langseth began science operations offshore Costa Rica during February - March, 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  

 

 

Science Equipment

MCS Acquisition
  • Syntrak 960-24
  • SSI Seisnet active tape emulation
Hydrophone arrays
  • Sentry solid cable
  • 12.5 meter groups
  •  
  • 150m sections
  •  
  • up to four towed
  •  
  • separation 50 - 200 meters
  •  
Source Arrays
  • 4 x 10 gun strings
  • 9 active, one spare / string
  • 15 meter string length
  • 1650 cu. In. per string
Source Controller
  • DigiShot
MCS geometry sensors
  • Digicourse 5011 Compassbirds
  • Sonardyne SIPS1
  • Tailbuoy GPS
  • Source GPS (1 per string)
MCS Navigation
  • Concept Systems, Ltd Spectra, Sprint, Reflex
MCS QC
  • Syntrak
  • SeisNet
  • ProMaxx
  • Focus
  • SIOSeis
Communications
  • HighSeasNet
  • Inmarsat Sailor 500 FleetBroadband
  • Iridium Sailor Satellite Phone
Multibeam / Echsounder
  • Kongsberg EM122 1° x 1°
  • Knudsen 3260 Echosounder
Marine Mammals Observation/
Mitigation
  • Passive Acoustic Monitoring Streamer
  • 2 x Fujinon Big Eye Binoculars
General
  • Bell BGM-3 Gravimeter
  • Geometrics 882 Magnetometer
  • RDI 75KHz ADCP
  • Stbd Side A frame
  • Telescoping Stern Boom
  • Sippican Mk21 Expendable Probe Launcher
  • Teflon-lined Uncontaminated Seawater System
  • Seabird SBE21 Thermosalinograph