LM Workboats, a division of Lyman-Morse, is under contract to build a specifically designed 59-foot aluminum Research Vessel to support scientific and field operations for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, supporting year-round scientific operations on the Chesapeake Bay and near-coastal Atlantic waters.
Designed in collaboration with Chartwell Marine, a UK-based naval architecture firm specializing in high-performance aluminum workboats, the vessel will combine near-coastal capability, dynamic maneuverability, and mission-specific research functionality in a rugged aluminum platform engineered to demanding government specifications.
This project supports the Maryland Department of Natural Resources initiative to develop a next-generation Chesapeake Bay Research Vessel capable of providing critical monitoring information to help protect and restore Maryland’s water quality and habitat conditions. The vessel is intended to serve as a state-of-the-art, multi-mission platform capable of safely conducting year-round operations in inland Chesapeake Bay waters and near coastal Atlantic waters under a wide range of operating conditions.
Measuring 59.06 feet LOA with a 19-foot beam, the vessel is powered by twin MAN diesel engines and designed to achieve a minimum speed of 20 knots at 90 percent rated engine power. A dynamic station-keeping system will allow the crew to maintain precise position during sampling and data collection, even in challenging tidal and current conditions.
A large aft working deck with integrated A-frame equipment handling capability will support deployment and retrieval of sampling gear, buoys, and other mission-critical equipment. The vessel will be built to U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter T, ABYC, AWS, and UNOLS standards, receiving a Certificate of Inspection for up to 20 passengers on inland and near-coastal waters.
Preliminary Vessel Specifications
LOA: 59.06 ft
Beam: 19 ft
Maximum Draft: 4.92 ft
Light Displacement: 36.82 tons
Full Displacement: 44.0 tons
Fuel Capacity: 1000 US gallons
Fresh Water Capacity: 80 US gallons
Black Water Capacity: 50 US gallons
Hydraulic Oil Capacity: 45 US gallons
Performance: Minimum 20 knots at 90% rated engine power
