Our vessels, which range in length from 70 to 107 feet, are well-equipped for population assessment studies in the Great Lakes. Equipment on these vessels includes wet laboratories, trawls, gillnets, larval fish tow nets, equipment for limnological and contaminant sampling, hydroacoustical fish-detection systems, and Loran C/GPS navigation computer systems for the precise location of sampling stations. The Center has a side-scan sonar and a remotely operated vehicle.
The Center also operates a fleet of small (18-25 foot) research vessels outfitted with various types of electronic gear, including GPS navigation systems and other equipment required for fishery and limnological research in Great Lakes nearshore and connecting waters.
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R/V Grayling on Lake Huron
Homeport: Cheboygan, Michigan
Built 1977 by Bender Shipbuilding (Mobile, Alabama)
Length: 75.0 ft
Cruising speed: 9 knots
Fact Sheet
The R/V Grayling is the Center's third largest vessel with great geographic range and advanced scientific abilities. Nearly all of the fish population and habitat research in Lake Huron is conducted aboard the R/V Grayling. It also assists with fish population assessment in eastern Lake Superior. |
R/V Sturgeon on Lake Michigan
Homeport: Cheboygan, Michigan
Built 1974
Length: 105.0 ft
Cruising speed: 11 knots
R/V Sturgeon on the Great Lakes Association of Science Ships
R/V Sturgeon Christening & Commissioning
Fact Sheet
The R/V Stugeon is stationed at Cheboygan Vessel Base. |
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R/V Kaho on Lake Ontario
Homeport: Oswego, New York
Built 2011 by Great Lakes Shipyard (Toledo, Ohio)
Length: 70.2 ft
Cruising speed: 12 knots
Fact Sheet
The fish population research program on Lake Ontario aboard the R/V Kaho is closely coordinated with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The R/V Kaho fishes all U.S. waters of Lake Ontario and is often involved in specific research projects near its home port in eastern Lake Ontario. The Kaho and Grayling are also used in Canadian waters of Lakes Ontario, Huron and Superior, respectively, in collaborative research with Canadian agencies. |
R/V Muskie on Lake Erie
Homeport: Sandusky, Ohio
Built 2011 Great Lakes Shipyard (Toledo, Ohio)
Length: 70.2 ft
Cruising speed: 12 knots
Fact Sheet
Fish population and habitat research is primarily conducted off the R/V Muskie in the western basin of Lake Erie, where an annual survey has been taken since 1960. Coordinated annual surveys are conducted in the central basin with the U.S. EPA and in the eastern basin with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. |
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R/V Kiyi on Lake Superior
Homeport: Bayfield, Wisconsin
Built 1999
Length: 107.0 feet
Cruising speed: 11 knots
Fact Sheet
Fish population and habitat research is conducted in Lake Superior, particularly the Apostle Islands area, where research has focused on one of the last viable and self-sustaining populations of lake trout in the Great Lakes. |
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U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
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