NOAA Ship Gunter underway. Click image for larger view.
NOAA Ship Gunter
At 224 ft in length, and displacing 2,300 tons, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s ship Gordon Gunter is a multi-use platform that primarily serves the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Pascagoula Laboratory in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The Gunter, as it is commonly and fondly known, normally operates in the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. It is named after Dr. Gordon Gunter, a marine biologist and leader in marine research and education, whose career spanned more than 60 years.
Originally, the Gunter was built in 1989 as the U.S. naval ship Relentless. In 1998, the Relentless was commissioned as the NOAA ship Gunter and underwent an extensive overhaul to adapt it for fisheries research operations. The Gunter has an endurance of 45 days at sea, and a range of 8,000 nautical miles with a cruising speed of 11 knots. The Gunter carries a complement of four officers, 11 crew members and up to 15 scientists.
Scientists monitor a variety of animal species through "big eyes" telescopes in the marine mammal observation and survey station. Click image for larger view.
Science and Research Support
As part of the Gunter’s refitting, significant modifications were made to the mission - dedicated laboratory spaces with the installation of wet, dry, chemistry and electronic labs. These modifications included a seawater sampling system, as well as a thermosalinograph for measuring surface seawater temperature, salinity, and fluorescence. In addition, a custom-designed marine mammal observation and survey station, located at the top of the pilot house, was installed with 3 “big eyes” binoculars. This makes the Gunter one of the best outfitted, acoustically quieted vessels engaged in this type of work.
As a result, the Gunter has been able to undertake a wide range of oceanographic research and fisheries assessments. These include conducting surveys of the health and abundance of commercial and recreational fish and crustaceans using trawls and benthic longlines, and collecting specimens of fish and crustacean larvae and eggs using plankton, surface, and midwater larval nets. Observing the health and distribution of marine mammals is another of the Gunter’s major responsibilities.
The Gunter's side mounted articulated boom is often used to deploy small support vessels, such as this rigid-hulled inflatable boat. Click image for larger view.
Integrated Computer Network
As with many of the NOAA fleet vessels, the Gunter relies on an upgraded onboard oceanographic system called the Scientific Computer System (SCS). The SCS is a network that collects, stores, processes, and retrieves a variety of oceanographic data from navigation and environmental sensors, bathymetric sonar systems, and other mission sensors.
The Gunter is also outfitted with a suite of modern navigation and communications systems. Data can be transmitted to stations worldwide via VHF radio, cell phone, or a satellite system known as INMARSAT. Gyro-compasses and a global positioning system (GPS) are advanced navigational equipment used to augment traditional radar and paper charts for determining the ship’s position.
To deploy oceanographic equipment, small support vessels, and submersibles, a heavy-duty crane is mounted at the back of the ship, with two booms located on either side of the vessel. These are used in conjunction with two oceanographic winches. During the next several years, the Gunter will undergo further modifications, enabling the collection of additional fisheries data by stern trawling, longlining, and other types of gear.
Click here for more information about the NOAA Ship Gunter, including current research projects and the ship’s specifications.
