{{short description|American research vessel}} {{Infobox ship <!-- full code --> |display_title=RV ''Sikuliaq'' |section1={{Infobox ship/image |image=Sikuliaq Woods Hole.jpg |image_caption=''Sikuliaq'' at Woods Hole, Massachusetts, in August 2014. Since then, the vessel has been painted in a different livery. }}
|section2={{Infobox ship/career |hide_header= |country=United States |flag={{USN flag}} |name=''Sikuliaq'' |namesake=Iñupiaq for "young sea ice" |owner=National Science Foundation<ref name="CFOS">{{cite web |url=https://www.uaf.edu/cfos/sikuliaq/ |title=College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences |publisher=University of Alaska Fairbanks}}</ref> |operator=University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences |registry=Seward, Alaska<ref name="abs" /> |route= |ordered=5 February 2010 |awarded= |builder=Marinette Marine Corporation, Marinette, Wisconsin |original_cost={{ShipCost|USA|200|m|year=2010}} |yard_number=650<ref name="abs" /> |way_number= |laid_down=11 April 2011 |launched=13 October 2012 |sponsor= |christened= |completed=6 June 2014<ref name="abs" /> |maiden_voyage= |in_service= |out_of_service= |renamed= |reclassified= |refit= |homeport= |identification=* IMO Number: [https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/details/9578945 9578945] * Call Sign: WDN7246 * MMSI Number: 303364000 |motto= |nickname= |fate= |status=In service |notes= }}
|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics |hide_header= |header_caption=<ref name="abs">{{csr|register=ABS|id=14221929|shipname=Sikuliaq|access-date=2014-06-16}}</ref> |class= |type=Research vessel |tonnage=* {{GT|3,429}} * {{NetT|1,028}} * {{DWT|1,556}} |displacement={{convert|3665|LT}} |length={{convert|79.6|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} |beam={{convert|15.85|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} |height= |draft={{convert|5.715|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} |depth={{convert|8.5|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} |ice_class=Polar Class 5 |power=* 2{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}MTU 16V-4000 (2{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}1,750{{nbsp}}kW) * 2{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}MTU 12V-4000 (2{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}1,310{{nbsp}}kW) |propulsion=* Diesel-electric; two Wärtsilä Icepod 2500 azimuth thrusters |speed=* {{convert|14.2|kn}} * {{convert|2|kn}} in {{convert|2.5|ft|m}} ice |range={{convert|18000|nmi}} at {{convert|10|kn}}<ref name="wartsila_icepod" /> |endurance=45 days |boats= |capacity=* 24 science berths * 2–4 20-feet science vans |crew=20 (+2) |time_to_activate= |aircraft= |aircraft_facilities= |notes= }} }}
'''RV''' '''''Sikuliaq''''' is an American research vessel owned by the National Science Foundation and operated by the University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences. Built in 2014 by Marinette Marine Corporation in Marinette, Wisconsin, the $200 million vessel replaced the 1966-built research vessel ''Alpha Helix'' that was retired in 2007. ''Sikuliaq'', named after the Iñupiaq word for "young sea ice" and pronounced "see-KOO-lee-auk", is homeported in Seward, Alaska.
==Construction== The original science mission requirement of the new research vessel was prepared by a committee of the UNOLS Fleet Improvement Committee in 1998.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160307120450/www.sfos.uaf.edu/sikuliaq/about/science-mission.html Science Mission Requirements]. UAF School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences. {{retrieved | access-date=2016-03-07}}</ref> In 2001, Congress appropriated $1 million for a design study of a suitable vessel.<ref name="about">[https://www.uaf.edu/cfos/sikuliaq/ About the Sikuliaq]. UAF College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences. {{retrieved | access-date=2025-02-06}}</ref> The vessel, called Alaska Region Research Vessel (ARRV), was designed by naval architecture and marine engineering firm [https://glosten.com/ Glosten] in 2004.<ref name="funding" />
In May 2009, the National Science Foundation announced that it had received funding for the construction of an ice-capable research vessel designed to support scientific research in high-latitude waters.<ref name="funding">[http://www.sfos.uaf.edu/news/story/?ni=274 NSF announces funding for Alaska Region Research Vessel]. University of Alaska Fairbanks, 27 May 2009. {{retrieved | access-date=2012-11-25}}</ref> In December 2009, the $123 million contract for the construction of the $200 million vessel was awarded to Marinette Marine Corporation of Marinette, Wisconsin, and the ceremonial signing of the contract was held on 5 February 2010.<ref>[http://www.sfos.uaf.edu/sikuliaq/events/contract.html Ceremonial Signing of the Shipyard Construction Contract for the R/V Sikuliaq]. UAF School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences. {{retrieved | access-date=2012-11-25}}</ref><ref>[http://www.sfos.uaf.edu/news/story/?ni=291 UAF chooses shipyard to build Alaska Region Research Vessel]. University of Alaska Fairbanks, 8 December 2009. {{retrieved | access-date=2012-11-25}}</ref> In January 2010, the University of Alaska Fairbanks chose an Alaska Native name ''Sikuliaq'', meaning "young sea ice" in the Iñupiaq language, after receiving more than 150 suggestions.<ref name="name">[http://www.sfos.uaf.edu/news/story/?ni=296 University research vessel gets Alaska Native name]. University of Alaska, 13 January 2010. {{retrieved |access-date=2012-11-25}}</ref> thumb|left|The bridge of the ''Sikuliaq''. The keel of the vessel was laid down on 11 April 2011 and she was launched on 13 October 2012. Although ''Sikuliaq'' was initially expected to arrive in her homeport of Seward, Alaska, in January 2014,<ref name="sbt20121014">[http://shipbuildingtribune.com/2012/10/14/usa-global-class-ice-capable-rv-sikuliaq-hits-the-water/ USA: Global Class Ice-Capable RV Sikuliaq Hits the Water]. Shipbuilding Tribune, 14 October 2012. {{retrieved | access-date=2012-11-25}}</ref><ref name="laiddown">[http://www.sfos.uaf.edu/sikuliaq/keel-laying/ R/V Sikuliaq Events]. UAF School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences. {{retrieved | access-date=2012-11-25}}</ref> her delivery was delayed due to technical problems and she spent her first winter in the Great Lakes.<ref>[http://www.ktoo.org/2013/11/27/sikuliaq-departure-delayed-by-technical-problems/ Sikuliaq departure delayed by technical problems]. KTOO, 27 November 2013. {{retrieved|access-date=2014-03-08}}</ref> ''Sikuliaq'' was finally handed over to the National Science Foundation on 6 June 2014.<ref name="abs" /> During the summer of 2014, she passed through the Panama Canal and began science operations in the equatorial Pacific and along the US west coast in the autumn. She then headed to Alaska, where the vessel arrived in February 2015, making a port visit in Ketchikan.<ref name=KRBD>[http://www.krbd.org/2015/02/10/rv-sikuliaq-makes-first-alaska-stop-in-ketchikan/ R/V Sikuliaq makes first Alaska stop in Ketchikan]. Kheiry, Leila. KRBD, 10 February 2015</ref><ref>[http://phys.org/news/2013-11-rv-sikuliaq-winter-great-lakes.html R/V Sikuliaq to winter in Great Lakes, test 'hybrid' underwater vehicle]. Phys.org, 15 November 2013. {{retrieved|access-date=2014-03-08}}</ref> She was officially commissioned in March 2015 at her home port of Seward.<ref>[http://www.akbizmag.com/Alaska-Business-Monthly/June-2014/UAF-takes-delivery-of-Research-Vessel-Sikuliaq/ UAF takes delivery of Research Vessel Sikuliaq]. Alaska Business Monthly, 6 June 2014. {{retrieved|access-date=2014-06-16}}</ref>
==Description== thumb|left|Aft Deck of RV ''Sikuliaq''
===Mission and capabilities=== ''Sikuliaq'' has accommodations for up to 24 scientists and students per cruise, including those with disabilities, to conduct multidisciplinary studies and to facilitate broadband real-time virtual participation of classroom students in expeditions, including remotely operated underwater vehicles. Sikuliaq supports the collection of sediment samples from the seafloor, remotely operated vehicles, the use of a flexible suite of winches to raise and lower scientific equipment, and surveys throughout the water column and sea bottom using an extensive set of research instrumentation. The vessel is designed to have the lowest possible environmental impact, including a low underwater radiated noise signature for marine mammal and fisheries work.<ref name="about" />
One of the most advanced research vessels ever built, ''Sikuliaq'' has extensive scientific facilities. In addition to {{convert|2100|sqft}} of built-in laboratories, she can accommodate four 20-foot scientific containers on the {{convert|4360|sqft|adj=on}} aft deck. In addition, ''Sikuliaq'' is fitted with flexible over-side handling equipment such as an A-frame in the stern as well as a number of science winches and cranes on the aft deck. She also has a retractable transducer centerboard (drop keel) for deploying various sensors under the vessel.<ref name="about" />
=== Technical details ===
''Sikuliaq'' is {{convert|261|ft|m|0}} on and has a maximum beam of {{convert|52|ft|m|0}}. At a displacement of {{convert|3665|LT}}, she draws {{convert|5.715|m|ftin|0|disp=flip}} of water. Designed for operations in ice-infested waters, the vessel has a sloping icebreaker bow and a hull that is two feet wider at the bow than in the stern to reduce ice resistance.<ref name="drawing2">[http://www.sfos.uaf.edu/sikuliaq/images/drawings/0650-601-01-GA-B3-inboard-profile.jpg R/V Sikuliaq Inboard Profile]. UAF School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences. {{retrieved | access-date=2012-11-25}}</ref> She is served by a crew of 20 plus two marine technicians.<ref name="about" />
''Sikuliaq'' has a diesel-electric powertrain in which the main diesel generators produce power for electric motors coupled to the propellers. She is powered by two {{convert|1800|kW|hp|abbr=on}} 16-cylinder and two {{convert|1310|kW|hp|abbr=on}} 12-cylinder MTU 4000 series high speed diesel engines.<ref>[http://www.professionalmariner.com/American-Ship-Review-2014/Sikuliaq-specifications/ Sikuliaq Specification]. Professional Mariner. {{retrieved|access-date=2014-03-08}}</ref> ''Sikuliaq'' is one of the first vessels ever to be fitted with Icepod propulsion units, Wärtsilä's brand of ice-strengthened azimuth thrusters that can be rotated 360 degrees about the vertical axis. The Z-drive thrusters are "pulling", meaning that the propellers are facing to the direction the vessel is moving to improve the hydrodynamic efficiency. In addition, they are "can-mounted", meaning that the thrusters can be disconnected and lifted off for maintenance without docking the vessel.<ref name="wartsila_icepod">[http://www.wartsila.com/file/Wartsila/1278527401838a1267106724867-038-042_InDepth.pdf The Icepod Revolution] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228064059/http://www.wartsila.com/file/Wartsila/1278527401838a1267106724867-038-042_InDepth.pdf |date=2013-12-28 }}. Wärtsilä. {{retrieved | access-date=2012-11-25}}</ref> She is also fitted with a bow thruster to assist maneuvering at low speeds.<ref name="drawing2" /><ref name="drawing1">[http://www.sfos.uaf.edu/sikuliaq/images/drawings/0650-601-01-GA-B5.jpg R/V Sikuliaq first & second platform]. UAF School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences. {{retrieved | access-date=2012-11-25}}</ref>
The maximum speed of ''Sikuliaq'' in calm water is {{convert|14.2|kn}}. In addition, she can break first-year sea ice up to {{convert|2.5|ft|m}} thick at a constant speed of {{convert|2|kn}} — which inspired her name. She also has dynamic positioning capability.<ref name="about" /> ''Sikuliaq'' has an operational endurance of 45 days and can sail {{convert|18000|nmi}} at {{convert|10|kn}}.<ref name="wartsila_icepod" />
==References== {{commons category|Sikuliaq (ship, 2014)|RV ''Sikuliaq''}} {{Reflist|2}}
==External links== * {{Official website|http://www.sikuliaq.alaska.edu}} {{Marinette Marine|state=autocollapse}} {{National Science Foundation research vessels}} {{UNOLS Vessels Navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sikuliaq}} Category:2012 ships Category:Research vessels of the National Science Foundation Category:Science and technology in Alaska Category:Seward, Alaska Category:University of Alaska Fairbanks Category:University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System research vessels Category:Ships built by Marinette Marine