An aerial shot of the R/V Kilo Moana during sea trials in the Atlantic off the coast of Florida. Note the narrow pylons or struts than pass through the air-water interface. Click image for a larger view
Research Vessel Kilo Moana
The Research Vessel (R/V) Kilo Moana, is the newest US oceanographic research vessel. Operated by the University of Hawaii, Kilo Moana is short for “oceanographer,” but literally means "one who is looking for understanding of the deep sea" in Hawaiian. At 185 feet and displacing over 2500 tons, the vessel can accommodate up to 17 crew members and 31 scientists. With a full complement of scientists and crew, the Kilo Moana can remain out at sea for 50 days and travel at a maximum speed of 15 knots.
The R/V Kilo Moana was built in Jacksonville, Florida at the Atlantic Marine, Inc. shipyard. As with most other research vessels in the academic fleet, it was sponsored by the U.S. Navy. However, this is the first oceanographic research vessel procured using integrated product teams that included government, industry, and operator representatives working in a collaborative process from concept design through detailed design and construction. The prime contractor leading the industry team was the Lockheed Martin Corporation.
A stern (rear) view of the ship. Note the large A-frame on the deck that is used to deploy and recover oceanographic instruments and gear. Click image for a larger view.
SWATH Design
The R/V Kilo Moana possesses an innovative and unique hull design called SWATH – which stands for Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull. This design is based on offshore rigs and provides a stabilizing working environment during rough seas. Essentially, it is a type of pontoon boat/catamaran hybrid. The ship's main motors, generators and pumps are housed in two submerged torpedo-shaped cylinders that are attached to the main hull by narrow, pylon-like metal “sails”. The main superstructure housing the living, science, and control areas is suspended above the waterline, and only the narrow sails encounter the air-seawater interface. This reduces frictional resistance, allowing the ship to travel at faster speeds with less fuel consumption. In addition, the vessel is more stable because it cuts through the water, rather than plowing through it. Since only a minimum amount of the vessel is exposed to the lifting forces of the waves, it is inhibited from rolling from side to side. As a result of this SWATH design, the R/V Kilo Moana is broader, so it offers a smoother ride, a large working deck area, and stable operations in rough seas.
A view of the starboard hull taken from the opposite port hull during sea trials in the Bahamas during flat calm seas. Note the small bow wake and the adjustable stabilizing canard (horizontal fin) attached to the submerged part of the hull. Click image for a larger view.
Mission
The R/V Kilo Moana is designed to operate in coastal waters and the deep ocean performing general oceanography and multidisciplinary studies. A typical mission might include: sampling and data collection of air, water, and seafloor parameters; seafloor mapping surveys from shallow to trench depth; launch, towing, and recovery of scientific gear; operating underwater vehicles, and shipboard data processing and sample analyses. The primary goal of this new addition to the academic fleet is to extend to scientists the ability to perform research effectively in higher sea states. There has been an increasing demand for more research at higher latitudes, such as the poles, where rougher seas are the norm.
The R/V Kilo Moana has many advanced technological capabilities, which include multibeam sonar seafloor mapping systems that have been integrated into the ship design. Arrays of sonar transmitters and receivers are located along the bottom of the port hull. These systems are designed to gather data in shallow and deep water areas allowing, a complete range of mapping coverage from nearshore to the deepest depths in the world’s oceans.
The deep water multibeam echo sounder is capable of hydrographic charting and seafloor acoustic backscattering imaging in water depths up to 11,000 meters – thus able to map the deepest trenches on Earth. Another type of Echo Sounder operates on the same theory as the the deep water echo sounder but with a higher frequency to allow better resolution in waters up to 1000 m.
The Web team gratefully acknowledges this contribution by J.R. Smith, marine geophysical specialist of the Hawai‘i Undersea Research Laboratory.
Click here to learn more about the R/V Kilo Moana.
