Welcome aboard the RV Marie Tharp, a 72-foot steel schooner dedicated to oceanographic research and primarily pioneering climate change research in polar regions.
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Commissioned in 2022, the Marie Tharp is Ocean Research Project's current research vessel, a low-carbon alternative to ocean discovery.
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Mission and Capabilities Mission:
The RV Marie Tharp is specifically outfitted to engage in expeditions to study climate change impacts in polar regions, gathering crucial data on global warming and pollution effects.​ of climate change impacts. Operations onboard have aided in autonomous vehicle surveys and seabed mapping campaigns in uncharted coastline and open ocean environments.
Specifications:
Dimensions: 22 meters long, 5 meters wide, with a 2.4-meter draft
Performance: Powered by a 220 hp engine, capable of 8 knots speed
Fuel Capacity: 2,649 liters, enabling 1,500 nautical miles under motor
Sailing Range: Covers 5,000 nautical miles non-stop in open ocean
Operational Duration: Up to 100 days continuously at sea
Water and Power
Resources: Equipped with:
Watermaker: Produces 151 liters of potable water per hour
Lab DI Water: Generates 60 liters of high-quality lab water per hour
Power Supply: Includes a 5.5 kW generator and a robust lithium battery system (800 amps, 24V) with backup AGM lead acid batteries (300 amps, 24V)
Crew and Capacity
Team: Accommodates up to 9 crew members onboard
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Research Focus: Conducts a 10-year research campaign starting from 2022, exploring polar and sub-polar coastal areas to enhance our understanding of climate change controls and impacts to the ecosystem.
RVMARIETHARP
ORP's First Research Vessel
RVAULT
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In all we sailed our first research vessel over 25,000 miles in the name of science. She was a good vessel, but in the end we needed a bigger research platform.
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Ault, our first research vessel, was a 42 ft Colvin Gazelle. We used Ault for our 2013 Atlantic Microplastics project sailing 7,000 miles in the Atlantic Ocean. In 2015-2016 We sailed Ault to the Arctic working with NASA's Ocean Melting Greenland Program. We also used this vessel for two projects in the Chesapeake Bay.
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Thank you to our Boat Supporters!
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