A Milestone in Coral Reef Research
The Research Vessel Alpha Helix
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Length - 133 ft
Beam - 31 ft Gross tonnage - 433 Year built - 1966 Crew - 8 Scientific Party - 15 |
Above: The RV Alpha Helix at Enewetak Atoll, 1971 - Photo by Christopher F. D'Elia
The Alpha Helix is a 133-foot (40.5-m) research vessel owned and operated by the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The Alpha Helix was retired this year and is currently for sale. The idea and design for the ship came from Dr. P. F. Scholander of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and it was built in 1966 with financial support from the National Science Foundation. Scripps operated the Alpha Helix from 1966 until 1980, when the Alpha Helix was acquired (?) by the University of Alaska.
The Alpha Helix was designed to function as a floating laboratory rather than an ocean-going research vessel. It was well suited for its role in Symbios Expedition to Enewetak, where it remained docked for its entire deployment. At that time, it accommodated approximately 12 crew and 12 scientists, and was equipped with an all-weather wet lab, a physiology lab, a photo lab, a walk-in freeze lab, and an instrument and machine shop. During the Symbios Expedition, the Alpha Helix slept and provided laboratories for about half of the 23-person scientific party, and also provided power to the shore buildings. The ship's crew also provided necessary support for logistical operations. The Alpha Helix was crucial to the success of the Symbios Expedition.
A detailed description of the facilities and functional arrangement of the ship are provided in the annual report of the Alpha Helix Research Program, 1972-1974.
Current information on the R/V Alpha Helix can be found here.