R/V Manta underway in February 2008 during sea trials. Photo: All American Marine
The R/V Manta began her official role as sanctuary vessel in June 2008, shortly after her arrival in Galveston. Since then she's been put through her paces on a number of scientific expeditions to the sanctuary and other areas in the Gulf of Mexico, proving herself a truly regional asset.
The R/V Manta is categorized as an SRV class (Small Research Vessel) within NOAA's fleet of vessels. This means that it is greater than 65 feet in overall length but weighs less than 300 gross tons. To date, it is the largest vessel in this class. Other sanctuary research vessels (R/V) in this class are:
R/V Shearwater - Channel Islands NMS
R/V Fulmar - Monterey Bay NMS
R/V Auk - Stellwagen Bank NMS
Standard protocol is for SRV-class vessels to be named after seabirds, but the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary sought an exception to this as seabirds are not a notable part of the sanctuary ecosystem. Instead, our new vessel is the R/V Manta, in recognition of the popular and much more representative manta rays residing in the sanctuary.
In 2004, the sanctuary began planning for the possibility of a new vessel. Unlike the Point Glass, a converted Coast Guard cutter that served as the sanctuary's vessel from 2001-2006, a new vessel would be designed with the specific needs of the sanctuary in mind.
In 2006, the sanctuary was allocated funding to construct this research vessel. The sale of the Point Glass provided additional funding for this project.
NOAA Corps officer, Lindsay Kurelja was the staff person tasked with heading up the design phase of this project. Lindsay visited existing vessels in the National Marine Sanctuary Program, researched equipment and technology, and talked with sanctuary staff and researchers to determine what the "ideal" research vessel for the sanctuary would look like.
Technology Associates Inc. (TAI), out of New Orleans, Louisiana, was hired to write the design specifications based on Lindsay's research. From there, Teknicraft Design in New Zealand completed the design of the vessel including all construction plans. Throughout the process there was a lot of discussion regarding the different options available.
All American Marine, based in Bellingham, Washington, then began construction of the R/V Manta. TAI continued to work as engineering consultants for the sanctuary during the construction phase.
G.P. Schmahl, Lindsay Kurelja, Shelley DuPuy and Doug Weaver discuss the design of the Manta's back deck while standing in a mock-up created in a field near the Galveston office. String and folding chairs were used to get a feel for the size of the planned deck and the location of the dive benches. (December 2005)
Actual construction of the R/V Manta began in early 2007.
The hull of the R/V Manta being constructed upside down.
(May 2007)
As is customary, the hull of the Manta was first constructed upside down. Construction of the superstructure (pilot house, galley, berthing areas) took place simultaneously but separately. At a certain point in completion, the hull was then turned right side up and the superstructure attached on top.
As of September 2007, the Manta was a very recognizable vessel externally, with windows, ladders, access hatches, etc.
By October, significant progress had been made on cabinetry and other interior construction. Things are really taking shape!
On January 15, 2008 the R/V Manta hit the water for the first time, at the shipyard in Bellingham, WA.
The R/V Manta at dockside in Bellingham, Washington her first day in the water. (January 15, 2008)
Following a series of sea trials and scientific operations with Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, the Manta was placed aboard another vessel and literally "shipped" to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
From Fort Lauderdale, the Manta headed to Galveston, with stops at Key West and St. Petersburg, FL for small open houses along the way. She arrived at the Texas A&M Galveston docks on Monday, June 16, 2008.
The official dedication ceremony for the R/V Manta took place at Pier 21 in Galveston on Friday, June 27, 2008. Dr. Sylvia Earle christened the Manta by breaking a bottle of champagne across the starboard rail. To learn more about the ceremony, visit the Manta Dedication page in our image library.
For a visual history of the R/V Manta throughout construction and during its first operations, please visit our Image Library.
