College of Sciences Newsletter Edition 12 May 1, 2002 
R/V Fay Slover Update The delivery of the new Research Vessel Fay Slover will take place late summer of 2002. The vessel is 55 feet in length capable of carrying 8 scientists at a maximum speed of about 22 knots. It was designed by Roger Long and is being built by the Gladding-Hearn Shipyard in Somerset, Massachusetts. It will be equipped with standard oceanographic sampling gear and will be able to make many measurements, such as temperature, salinity, fluorescence and currents while underway. It will be able to carry 40 students on day trips in the Chesapeake Bay and near shore waters. It replaces the R/V Holton that will retire after more than 30 years of service to the University.
The R/V Fay Slover will be an enlarged and improved version of a craft operated by the University of New Hampshire. The most distinctive feature of this vessel is the high horsepower (twin 700 horsepower diesels) which will permit samples to be gathered over a wider area than in the past.
The hull form was developed specifically for the scientific mission and provides low speed motion comfort, fuel economy, and maneuverability usually lacking in craft designed to operate at higher speeds. Non-research functions such as rescue boat and life raft storage are segregated on the vessel’s foredeck and is served by two boat davits mounted on the forward pilothouse corners. The centrally located pilothouse is arranged to provide visibility in all directions and is raised to provide sight lines over the heads of people working on the after deck. Laboratory and accommodations areas are located below the raised portion of the foredeck. Bunks for 8 persons will be installed.
The after deck will be served by an 8,000-pound capacity A-frame. Screw hold-downs will be provided on a standard pattern for securing scientific equipment. The 55-foot vessel will be 17 1/2 feet wide with a 5-foot draft. Two thousand gallons of fuel can be carried providing 18 hours running time at 20 knots for a range of 360 miles.
