ORV Alguita

Oceanographic Research Vessel Alguita is a 50 foot, 25 ton aluminum hulled sailing research catamaran.  Her 25 foot beam givers her the work area and stability of a much longer monohull.  Designed by the pioneering catarmaran workboat experts at Crowther Designs Australia, ORV Alguita is capable of deploying a wide array of marine oriented scientific instruments. With over a kilowatt of solar panels, and a proven cutter rigged sail plan, her range is virtually unlimited. The over 4 meter high A-frame, coupled with 600 meters of 8mm steel cable can service surface, midwater and bottom trawls, as well as benthic grabs and CTD rosettes.  Inflatable tenders can also be deployed and retrieved off the stern.  Each hull has reverse transom swim steps for ease of access to the water or to inflatables.  Alguita is equipped with twin 75 HP Yanmar diesel engines, a 16 KVA Mase generator, and a small wet lab. 

On deck sampling equipment includes a Van Veen bottom sampling dredge, a pipe dredge, an otter trawl, a manta trawl, and several zooplankton sampling nets including a bongo trawl for sampling at great depths. We can also display fish and invertebrates in an on board aquarium. There is ample storage for specialized equipment. Diving gear is available and scuba tanks are filled on board with a 110 V compressor. Up to 7 scientists can be accommodated for extended voyages. Twenty people can easily enjoy a one day cruise. More can be accommodated on a case by case basis. Electronics include a depth sounder in each hull, as well as a Wesmar side scan sonar, 25 mile radar, mini M satellite receiver, differential GPS interfaced with a plotting program, a world-wide satellite telephone and SSB as well as VHF radio telephones.