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NOAA Ship Rainier:
Designed and outfitted primarily for conducting hydrographic surveys in support of nautical charting. The ship operates off the U.S. Pacific Coast and in Alaskan coastal waters. She carries six aluminum survey launches equipped with multibeam swath and single beam echo sounders and also carries three small boats providing support to shore stations and dive operations.

 

NOAA Ship Fairweather: Designed and outfitted primarily for conducting hydrographic surveys in support of nautical charting, operates in Alaskan coastal waters. The ship is equipped with the latest in hydrographic survey technology – multibeam survey systems; high-speed, high-resolution side scan sonar; position and orientation systems; hydrographic survey launches; and an on-board data-processing server.

 

Testing Autonomous Underwater
Vehicles:
NOAA scientists are always evaluating new equipment and techniques. This scientist is on the water in the Chesapeake Bay checking out a new Autonomous Underwater Vehicles, or AUVs, that can operate via remote control like a remote control car.