Maritime Activity Reports, Inc. January 1, 2021
Oceanographer and Discoverer will join NOAA s ship fleet, which includes NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown, the agency s largest research vessel. (Photo: Wes Struble/NOAA)
NOAA’s effort to recapitalize its aging fleet of research ships took a major step forward today with the U.S. Navy’s award of a $178,082,877 contract to Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors LLC, Houma, La., for the detailed design and construction of two new oceanographic ships.
NOAA is acquiring the vessels through an agreement with the Naval Sea Systems Command, a leader in building, providing and procuring large research ships for the nation s research fleet.