R/V Ka`imikai-o-Kanaloa moored at Snug Harbor in Honolulu. Click image for a larger view. Click image for a larger view.
HURL’s R/V Ka`imikai-o-Kanaloa
The R/V (research vessel) Ka`imikai-o-Kanaloa (KoK) is the support ship for the Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory's (HURL’s) field operations. The KoK’s primary role is to serve as the support vessel for the Pisces IV and V submersibles. At 223 ft, the KoK displaces 1,961 tons and can accommodate up to 14 crew and 19 scientists. The KoK can remain at sea for 50 days with a full crew and science party, cruising at a maximum speed of 11 knots. In Hawaiian, Ka`imikai-o-Kanaloa means, “Heavenly Searcher of the Sea.”
The R/V KoK was built in 1979 and designed to serve as a seismic research vessel. She was named the Western Straits. In the early 1990’s HURL, which was looking to expand its scientific and operational capabilities, found the ship rusting away in an Alabama bayou. With the University of Hawaii, HURL purchased the Western Straits and sent it to a shipyard to be reconfigured for submersible operations. She was stretched to her present length of 222 feet and a 1332 sq. ft hangar for the submersible was installed. When the KoK’s reconfiguration was complete, she was brought to Hawaii for additional modifications and outfitting. In 1995, she began her new life as the primary platform from which HURL conducts its submersible operations and mapping activities.
Hangar on the R/V Ka`imikai-o-Kanaloa used to house and prepare the Pisces IV and Pisces V submersibles. Click image for a larger view.
Scientific Capabilities
The KoK was designed for 24 hr deep-water science operations. Submersible activities take place between 0700-1700 hrs (7 AM - 5 PM), which includes preparations, launch, and recovery. ROV (remotely operated vehicles) operations take place between 1900-0300 hrs (5 PM - 3 AM). Sea Beam (a type of side scan sonar) operations take place between 0300-0700 hrs (3 AM - 7 AM). The ship also conducts biological and chemical research and routinely conducts CTD casts. The KoK’s large, moveable A-Frame; trawl winch; and CTD winch; permit a variety of oceanographic operations to be conducted at sea.
In 1992-1993, she was stretched to her present length of 222 feet and reconfigured from a seismic vessel to Mothership for the HURL submersible. Her large, moveable A-Frame; trawl winch; and CTD winch; among other features, permit a variety of oceanographic operations.
Click here to learn more about the R/V Ka`imikai-o-Kanaloa.
The Web team gratefully acknowledges this contribution by Christopher Kelley, a Program Biologist at the Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory.
