The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has taken a significant step forward in its mission to enhance maritime safety and navigation with the keel-laying ceremony for its new charting and mapping vessel, Navigator. Constructed by Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors, LLC., in Houma, Louisiana, the Navigator is set to join the NOAA fleet by 2028, alongside its sister ship, Surveyor, which is expected to be completed in 2027. This addition underscores NOAA’s commitment to modernizing its fleet and advancing its critical work in ocean mapping and nautical charting.
The Navigator will play a pivotal role in NOAA’s efforts to provide mariners with the tools and information necessary to safely navigate the vast and often treacherous waters of the United States. As NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad noted, “The new NOAA ships will support our mission to explore, map, and protect the ocean for the benefit of the nation. These state-of-the-art vessels will enhance our capabilities and ensure that we can continue to provide accurate and up-to-date navigational charts for mariners.”
The vessel’s name, Navigator, is a nod to one of NOAA’s central missions: facilitating the safe navigation of mariners throughout U.S. waters. The Navigator will be homeported in Newport, Oregon, where it will conduct surveys and mapping operations to update nautical charts and gather data on ocean depths, coastal changes, and underwater hazards. This information is crucial for ensuring the safety of the $2.3 trillion worth of cargo that moves through the nation’s ports and harbors each year.
The construction of the Navigator and Surveyor is part of a broader initiative by NOAA to expand and modernize its fleet. These new vessels will be equipped with advanced technologies, including multibeam echo sounders, sonar systems, and other state-of-the-art instruments, enabling them to conduct more detailed and accurate surveys than ever before. “These new ships will be at the forefront of ocean exploration and mapping, providing us with the data we need to better understand and protect our marine environments,” said Captain Andrea Keefe, director of the NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations.
The keel-laying ceremony marks a significant milestone in the construction of the Navigator. The keel, or the backbone of the ship, has been laid, and construction will now proceed with the assembly of the hull and the installation of the vessel’s advanced systems and equipment. Once completed, the Navigator will join the NOAA fleet and begin its critical work of mapping and charting the nation’s waters.
The addition of the Navigator and Surveyor to the NOAA fleet is not just about enhancing maritime safety; it’s also about advancing our understanding of the ocean. The data collected by these vessels will be invaluable for scientific research, coastal management, and environmental protection. As we face the challenges of climate change and increasing maritime activity, the work of these vessels will be more important than ever.
In the words of Captain Keefe, “The new NOAA ships will support our mission to explore, map, and protect the ocean for the benefit of the nation. These state-of-the-art vessels will enhance our capabilities and ensure that we can continue to provide accurate and up-to-date navigational charts for mariners.” With the keel-laying of the Navigator, NOAA is taking a significant step forward in its mission to keep our waters safe and our understanding of the ocean advancing.