Another Research Vessel

[Roger Long]

I saw the fourth research vessel of my design that I have encountered on this trip.

The R/V Fay Slover tied up to her dock in Norfolk. I got the ODU sweatshirt I'm so often seen wearing after I designed this boat.

Someone once asked me why I designed boats and I said, "Because I get hats and tee shirts." It wasn't a bad description of the economics of my career. There is a reason why I'm not writing this from a 45 footer.

The next morning, I woke up to frost on the decks for the first time:

Tied up in the Dismal Swamp Canal just above Deep Creek Lock.

 

[Ed Schenck]

You are right next to that road that we walked into town. For some reason SPOT won't let me pull up the coordinates. But I can see it clearly on the satellite picture. Will you leave the canal today, still 1500 on the south lock? Where next?

Your designs are excellent. You needed a better manager. You should be getting 5 cents a nautical mile.

 

[shemandr]

It must be a thrill to see you're creation as a operating vessel - several times over. More money would be nice too but ....
I'm in Elizabeth City this weekend. I'll keep an eye on your position and see if I can spy Strider.

 

[Tom J]

She is a beauty. Does the arch near the stern pivot out over the transom? Looks like it would be perfect for launching and towing a sub-bottom profiler, mag, side-scan sonar, etc. I'll bet she's easy to drive around the grid, too. Up until recently, I worked on the R/V AquaQuest out of Tarpon Springs, FL. She is an old 60's era oil field supply boat, and for a long time we hand-steered the grid using chain and sprocket steering. Made for a laborious and demanding spell at the wheel. Nowadays she has hydraulic steering, and running the grid almost seems easy.
You did good, Roger. Keep up the great work.

 

[Roger Long]

Does the arch near the stern pivot out over the transom?

Yes, it's a fairly standard hydraulic A-frame.