Modern Oceanography News

In the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, Congress established a commission to rename several military bases and ships that commemorate members of the Confederacy. One of these is the Naval oceanographic ship USNS Maury (T-AGS 66), named after oceanographer Matthew Fontaine Maury, who resigned his commission in the U.S. Navy to join the Confederacy at the outbreak of the American Civil War. The USNS Maury is an asset of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NMOC), which I led from 2014-2017.

The U.S. Navy's newest oceanographic survey vessel, USNS Maury (T-AGS 66), recently completed its maiden voyage from Pascagoula, Miss., where it was constructed at VT Halter Marine, to Port Everglades near Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. In Maury's first days at sea, the civilian survey detachment from the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) aboard performed initial testing of routine over-the-side operations as well as testing equipment unique to the ship, including underwater cameras which will be used for autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) launch and recovery in the future.

USNS Maury (T-AGS 66) completed Acceptance Trials, November 6, following a week of extensive ship tests and underway events, included testing of major propulsion, auxiliary, damage control and deck systems. Designed to perform acoustic, biological, physical, and geophysical surveys, T-AGS 66 will provide the U.S. military with essential information on the ocean environment. The vessel is 353 feet in length, with an overall beam of 58 feet. USNS Maury is 24 feet longer than the previous T-AGS design, which accommodates a moon pool for deployment and retrieval of autonomous underwater vehicles. T-AGS 66 is named in honor of Cmdr. Matthew Fontaine Maury…

VT Halter Marine’s Halter Moss Point facility was the scene of the christening of  T-AGS 66’, USNS Maury’. Construction began in September 2010, the keel laying ceremony was held in February 2011, and delivery is expected in January 2014. The vessel has an additional 24 feet in length to the previous T-AGS 60 design which will accommodate a moon pool for deployment and retrieval of autonomous underwater vehicles. Designed to perform acoustic, biological, physical and geophysical surveys, T-AGS 66 will provide the U.S. military with essential information on the ocean environment.

Henry B. Pascagoula, Miss. most technologically advanced fisheries research vessels, VT Halter Marine Inc. at VT Halter Marine’s Moss Point shipyard today. NOAA is an agency of the U.S. of Commerce. be engraved on the keel plate. welding arcs on a steel plate to complete the spelling of their names. incorporated into the ship during construction. Mrs. shipyard. this new ship,” said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. significant for NOAA in several respects. aging fleet of NOAA research vessels. contest. 2003 through January 2004. was opened to students in kindergarten through 12th grade in the six New England states. selection of a ship name honoring a distinguished oceanographer from New England.

VT Halter Marine, Inc. launched the second of four planned NOAA fisheries survey vessels. christened Henry B. N.H., on behalf of the ship’s sponsor, Mrs. Hampshire. vessels in the world when placed in operation in late 2006. Mrs. but designated Silver as her representative. Winnacunnet High School who won a regional NOAA contest in 2004 to name the ship. students also participated in the ship’s keel laying ceremony in May 2004. environment as well as to generate a greater interest in scientific studies. “The christening of Henry B. our NOAA fleet,” said retired Navy Vice Admiral Conrad C. secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. appreciate the contribution Mrs. that Ms. mission to assess and protect the nation’s living marine resources. Henry B.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently took delivery of Henry B. Bigelow, one of a new class of fisheries survey vessels being built under contract with VT Halter Marine Inc., in Pascagoula, Miss. Henry B. Bigelow will support NOAA research efforts in conservation and management of fisheries and marine ecosystems primarily in northeastern U.S. waters, replacing the 45-year old Albatross IV. The ship will be home ported in New England, although a permanent base has not been named. The ship will be based temporarily at Naval Station Newport, in Newport, R.I. U.S. Senator and Mrs. Judd Gregg attended the keel-laying ceremony with students from Winnacunnet High School, who submitted the winning vessel name through a NOAA educational outreach contest. Mrs.