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![]() RV Marcus G. Langseth, operated by the Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory
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History | |
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Owner | National Science Foundation |
Operator | Columbia University, Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory |
Builder | Ulstein (Norway) |
Launched | 15 June 1991 |
Completed | 1991 |
Acquired | 2004 |
Identification |
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Status | Active |
Notes | Originally constructed as a seismic vessel the Marcus G. Langseth was modified and outfitted to perform the tasks required of a general purpose research vessel. |
General characteristics | |
Tonnage | 3,834 GT |
Displacement | 2578.4 |
Length | 71.5 m (234 ft 7 in) |
Beam | 17.0 m (55 ft 9 in) |
Draft | 5.9 m (19 ft 4 in) |
Ice class | Baltic IA |
Installed power | 2 x shaft generators 1665 KVA each |
Propulsion | 2 x Bergen BRG-6 2650 kW/3550 hp (each); 1 x Tunnel 590 kW/800 hp bow thruster |
Speed | 13 knots (24 km/h; 15 mph) max |
Crew | 20 crew, 35 scientific |
RV Marcus Langseth is a research vessel operated by the Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO) of Columbia University as a part of the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) fleet.[1][2] The Marcus G. Langseth was dedicated on December 4, 2007, came into service in early 2008, replacing the RV Maurice Ewing.[3]
Marcus G. Langseth is intended primarily to collect multichannel seismic data, including 3-D surveys. The ship was purchased from the geophysical survey company WesternGeco in 2004, having previously been named Western Legend.[citation needed] The Marcus G. Langseth was named for Marcus G. Langseth, a Lamont scientist.[citation needed]
In March 2009 Chinese authorities denied the vessel permission to pass between Taiwan and China.[4] In August 2009, Marcus G. Langseth was named in a Canadian lawsuit seeking to halt its seismic tomography experiment.[5] The lawsuit was dismissed, diplomatic clearance was issued and the ship sailed after a delay of a day.[6][7]
The academic community's most advanced seismic-research vessel was dedicated here today, opening potential new windows on natural hazards, earth's evolution, and other vital questions. The R/V Marcus G. Langseth, owned by the U.S. National Science Foundation, will generate CAT-scan-like 3D images of magma chambers, faults and other structures miles below the world's seabeds. To be used by dozens of cooperating institutions, it will be operated for NSF by Columbia University's Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory.
The research vessel Marcus G. Langseth will have to steer clear of the waters that separate Taiwan from mainland China, after the Chinese government denied the US seismic research vessel permission to sail in the area.
Two environmental groups are taking the Canadian government to court to stop loud seismic blasting by an American research vessel that threatens endangered and threatened whales in a Canadian marine protected area. U.S. researchers have asked Canada to grant a controversial seismic vessel access to the Endeavour Hydrothermal Vents, a marine protected area 250 kilometers (155 miles) off British Columbia's coast and a habitat of endangered blue whales, threatened fin whales, and other marine life.
Justice Michael Kelen said he was not satisfied that the surveys would harm marine life based on new federal requirements imposed since the legal action was launched.