RV Blue Heron explained
The
Blue Heron is a
research vessel serving on the
Laurentian Great Lakes. She is owned by the
University of Minnesota Duluth, and operated by the
Large Lakes Observatory in partnership with the
University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System.
[1] The Blue Heron is the largest research ship owned by a university operating on the Great Lakes, and the second-smallest UNOLS vessel by
LOA.
[2] History
The Blue Heron was built in 1985 as a fishing vessel and christened "Fairtry" before being purchased by the University of Minnesota in 1997 and converted to a research vessel for deployment in 1998.[3] The ship will celebrate its 25th year of scientific service in 2023.
Activities
The Blue Heron conducts limnological research on the five Great Lakes throughout the ice-free season. Its capabilities include water and sediment sampling and analysis, sensor launching and retrieval, and radar/sonar scanning.[4] In addition to its research capabilities, the ship also hosts public science outreach and education events in Duluth and other communities.[5]
References
- Web site: UNOLS Designated Vessels UNOLS . 2022-11-11 . www.unols.org.
- Web site: Blue Heron Swenson College of Science and Engineering . 2022-11-11 . scse.d.umn.edu.
- Web site: A Great Lake voyage aboard the R/V Blue Heron . 2022-11-11 . Science Buzz . en-us.
- Web site: Large Lakes Observatory University of Minnesota, Duluth . Research Vessel BLUE HERON Cruise Planning Manual .
- Web site: LLO Science on Deck Swenson College of Science and Engineering . 2022-11-11 . scse.d.umn.edu.
External links
