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In 1992, Edison Chouest Offshore Inc.,
Galliano, Louisiana, built and delivered a 94-meter research ship with
icebreaking capability for use by the U.S. Antarctic Program for 10 years
or more. The ship, Nathaniel B. Palmer, is a first-rate platform
for global change studies, including biological, oceanographic, geological,
and geophysical components. It can operate safely year-round in Antarctic
waters that often are stormy or covered with sea ice. It accommodates
37 scientists, has a crew of 22, and is capable of 75-day missions. For
ship deck layouts, lab photographs, schedules, equipment, ship user committee
issues and a variety of other information regarding USAP research ships,
go to the Raytheon Polar Services Company (RSPC) marine sciences
web site. For specific information about cruises schedules,
scientific equipment and other related science support information, see
RSPC's the Nathaniel B. Palmer web page at http://www.polar.org/marine/nbp/nbpindex.html.
The ship is named the Nathaniel B. Palmer to
commemorate the American credited with first seeing Antarctica. Nathaniel
Brown Palmer, then 21 years old, commanded the 14-meter sloop Hero,
which on 16 and 17 November 1820 entered Orleans Strait and came very
close to the Antarctic Peninsula at about 63° 45¢ S. Later in his life, Palmer also won wealth and fame
as a pioneer clipper ship master and designer.
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