A ship anchored five miles southwest of Montauk Point Light on Long Island for several weeks last August had an unusual profile — a large boxy deckhouse far aft and high bow with significant open deck space in between.
M/V Search, measuring 126 by 32 feet, may be the only repurposed Bering Sea crabber off the East Coast of the United States. On deck, a crane and a starboard mounted lift platform present a unique configuration of machinery. And the Park City, Utah, port of registry painted on its stern adds another intriguing detail. Aboard the vessel, stickers and patches display a plethora of logos — Costa, Caterpillar, Yeti, SAFE, Contender, DYT Yacht Transport, Yamaha, Landry’s and more — giving the hint of a NASCAR racer.
But it’s the mission of M/V Search and its crew that distinguishes it from any other vessel afloat. Search, the name of both the ship and the funding and advocacy organization, studies live sharks — focusing on arguably the ocean’s top predator, the great white. Search founder Chris Fischer points out that although dead sharks provide lots of information, his project gives scientists an opportunity to learn from live specimens. To do this, Search catches a shark, measures it, takes samples of tissue and various body fluids, removes parasites, attaches tracking devices and then releases it back into its habitat — all in less than 15 minutes. The key is the lift platform, approximately 20 by 25 feet and capable of raising at least 35 tons. The largest great white sharks caught have weighed less than 3 tons.
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Esta historia es de la edición February 2017 de Professional Mariner.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
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Mariner's role still unknown as autonomous shipping gains speed
Mariners’ role still unknown as autonomous shipping gains speed
Piracy edges closer to home with wave of raids in southern Gulf
In the brief cellphone video recorded by a crewmember on the offshore supply vessel (OSV) Remas, the pirates walk back and forth on the deck of the ship, clenching their guns and using them to point as they order around the crew. Their faces are draped in clothing and bandanas.
Casualties
NTSB: Dredge hit Texas gas pipeline, causing fire that killed four
IMO emissions report raises new concerns about methane slip
A recent report from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) reveals that global shipping emissions increased nearly 10 percent from 2012 to 2018, with the industry facing a growing challenge concerning methane slip.
Bay State brothers find industry niche by making old into new
Zero non-conformities is what you want to hear when the U.S. Coast Guard inspects your tugboat. Once you’ve prepared your vessel, the inspectors come aboard to peruse your paperwork. They ask you pointed questions, to which they expect straightforward answers. Perusal completed, they then scrutinize all of the related safety systems, from bilge to antennas — even the ship’s bell.
Signals
A year into the pandemic, thousands ‘essentially indentured’ on ships
Analysis points to faulty loading, low ballast in Golden Ray rollover
While the salvage of the sunken vehicle carrier Golden Ray has been delayed for months due to COVID-19 and the hurricane season, analysis by the U.S. Coast Guard has determined a possible cause for the rollover: a combination of vehicles placed too high on the ship’s decks, and not enough ballast water gave the placement of the cargo.
Seastreak newcomer pushing through dip in demand
Two years ago, Seastreak LLC took delivery of Seastreak Commodore, a 600-passenger fast ferry, from Gulf Craft of Franklin, La. Designed by Australia-based Incat Crowther, the vessel is the largest of its kind in the United States and was built to meet the burgeoning demand for service in the New York-New Jersey market.
New year in a new world: Navigating COVID's maritime realities
In a matter of days, the decorative time balls will drop, “Auld Lang Syne” will fill the air, and ships at anchor will sound their horns as the world welcomes in the new year.
Advanced props, rudders provide new efficiencies below the waterline
It took a decade or two from the invention of the marine propeller in the 19th century for the technology to become widely accepted. Thereafter, adoption has been nearly universal, but progress toward improved efficiencies has come in fits and starts.
