Deployment: NEC-JS2000-1

Two, virtually identical commercial fishing vessels, the F/V Tara Lynn and F/V Robert Michael, and crew were used for the survey. While only one vessel at a time was planned for each survey, in the event of an equipment breakdown, the other could be made immediately available so that the survey could be completed on schedule. Both vessels are Down East 54's of solid fiberglass with full displacement hulls taken from the same mould. They are powered by 8-cylinder GMC diesel engines producing 325 H.P. The reverse gear is a twin disk; 3in. stainless steel shaft that goes to a 4-bladed power propeller. The vessel’s hull displacement is 33-net ton allowing it to perform well in sea states up to eight feet.