Nathaniel B. Palmer (icebreaker)

300px Icebreaker Nathaniel B. Palmer, serving the National Science Foundation.
History
United States
Name:	R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer
Namesake:	Nathaniel Palmer
Owner:	Offshore Service Vessels LLC
Operator:	Lockheed Martin Antarctic Support Contract
Builder:	North American Ship Building
Yard number:	137
Launched:	1992
In service:	1992
Identification:	IMO number: 9007257 MMSI Number: 200155768 Callsign: WBP3210
Status:	In service
General characteristics
Class & type:	ABS A1, AMS, E, ACC
Type:	Research vessel
Tonnage:	6,174 GT
Length:	94 m (308 ft)
Beam:	18.3 m (60 ft)
Draft:	6.8 m (22 ft)
Depth:	9.1 m (30 ft)
Ice class:	A2
Installed power:	4 x Caterpillar 3608
Propulsion:	Main propulsion: 12,720 hp (9,485 kW) Bow Thruster: 1,400 hp (1,040 kW) Stern Thruster: 800 hp (600 kW)
Endurance:	75 days
Complement:	69
Crew:	22
Aircraft carried:	helicopter

The Nathaniel B. Palmer is an ice-capable research ship owned by Offshore Service Vessels LLC, operated by Edison Chouest Offshore, Inc. and chartered by the United States National Science Foundation. The Nathaniel B. Palmer is tasked with extended scientific missions in the Antarctic. The Nathaniel B. Palmer was purpose-built for and delivered to the NSF by Edison Chouest Offshore's North American Shipbuilding facility in 1992.

The Nathaniel B. Palmer carries a helicopter, accommodates up to 37 scientists, has a crew of 22 and is capable of missions lasting up to 75 days.

The vessel is named after merchant mariner and ship builder Nathaniel Brown Palmer, credited by some historians with the discovery of Antarctica.

Gallery

• Corp2454.jpg

  Nathaniel B. Palmer

• Icebreaker Nathaniel B Palmer.jpg

External links

• R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer's current position
• United States Antarctic Program Vessel Science and Operations
• USAP Research Vessels news in The Antarctic Sun
• Lockheed Martin Antarctic Support Contract