College of Sciences Newsletter

Edition 1

February 1, 2001

On December 19, 2000 the College of Sciences signed a contract with Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation, for the construction of the new research vessel, the FAY SLOVER. Attending the signing were: Dean Tom Isenhour, Rick Massey, Phyllis Brown, Alonzo Brandon, and Peter Duclos (of Duclos Corporation). Equipped with all the necessary bells and whistles (and then some), the R/V FAY SLOVER will better enable our researchers to gather samples faster, and over a wider area, and to be more competitive in obtaining future funding for such programs as the Bay Monitoring Program. This project was funded through Capital Campaign Funds raised through designated private and foundation gifts. Construction will take place in Somerset, Massachusetts and is scheduled to begin March 2001. It should take approximately 18 months to complete. Upon completion of the new vessel, the current one the College uses, the R/V HOLTON, will be retired after serving Old Dominion for more than 30 years.

Roger Long, Marine Architect, designed the new research vessel.  Access Roger Long's website to see drawings, specifications and other information about the new vessel: