President, Public Visit Florida Tech-Sponsored Research Vessel

The 78-Foot R/V Hogarth
Stopped by Port Canaveral

MELBOURNE, FLA. — Florida Institute of Technology President Dwayne McCay and First Lady Mary Helen McCay were among dozens of visitors to a new research vessel that will help faculty and students conduct marine research and tackle some of the state’s most vexing ecological issues, from hurricane erosion and oil spills to red tide.

The R/V W. T. Hogarth spent Monday at Ocean Club Marina in Port Canaveral, the second of 10 visits planned at ports around Florida through late March.

Named after William Hogarth, the marine research scientist who served as director of the Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO) from 2011 to 2016 and was former dean of the University of South Florida College of Marine Science, the $6 million, 78-foot, coastal-class ship was built at Duckworth Steel Boats in Tarpon Springs. It was launched May 23 and is sponsored in part by Florida Tech.

As many as 800 principal investigators from Florida Tech and 30 other Florida universities and institutions that comprise FIO will utilize the Hogarth for data collection, observations and research.

Equipped with berths for 10 scientists, as well as wet and dry laboratories, satellite internet, fisheries eco-sounders, bathymetric equipment for bottom-sounding, and a dynamic positioning system, the R/V W.T. Hogarth has already garnered attention for her advanced technology for use in studying oil spills, red tides and other environmental concerns.

“A central and critical aspect of educating oceanographers and ocean engineers is shipboard knowledge,” said George Maul, a professor of oceanography at Florida Tech and author of The Oceanographer’s Companion: Essential Nautical Skills for Seagoing Scientists and Engineers. “At sea, students will begin to learn the language of the seaman – specialized communication skills that are essential for conducting research and for safety-of-life-at-sea. During research cruises, Florida Tech students will learn how to handle oceanographic instruments in smooth and rough seas, take marine observations, analyze and store data, and a bit of seamanship.”

For more information on the R/V W.T. Hogarth, including photos and video, visit http://www.fio.usf.edu/vessels/rv-construction.

###