Maritime Aquarium, South Norwalk, will acquire a new 65-foot catamaran hybrid research vessel in the fall of 2013.
According to DarienNewsOnline, the vessel was designed by an Australian naval architecture company. It is a $2.5 million boat which will replace the current 33-year-old diesel trawler “Oceanic”.
The vessel will have a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system, and will cut diesel consumption by 75 percent or more. Solar panels and wind turbines would provide clean energy to run the ship’s navigational and scientific instruments.
It will be equipped with an indoor classroom and outdoor research space.
“This is basically going to be the coolest classroom in all of Connecticut and New York,” said Cathy Hagadorn, the aquarium’s education and vessel manager .
The vessel “Oceanic” has been used since the Maritime Aquarium opened in 1988. The aquarium will sell the “Oceanic” once the new vessel is completed.
The Maritime Aquarium is still $500,000 away from acquiring the new vessel.
[mappress]
World Maritime News Staff, July 20, 2012; Image: MaritimeAquarium