Research Vessel Roger Revelle Sets Sail Once More
The Roger Revelle: A Vessel of Scientific Discovery
The research vessel Roger Revelle, operated by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, is currently active in the Pacific Ocean, near Honolulu, following nearly two months at sea. This vessel, a key platform for advanced oceanographic investigations, is at the forefront of significant scientific expeditions, such as the 2025 SEALS (Sediment Exchange Along the Labrador Sea) project [1].
The crew of the Roger Revelle comprises seasoned professionals who have spent years aboard the ship and are well-acquainted with its operations. This expertise has proven invaluable during the vessel's recent mission, where 29 researchers from 12 institutions collected water and sediment samples around the Labrador Sea to study marine sediment's role in controlling seawater chemistry [1].
While the specifics of the vessel's recent modernization are not publicly disclosed, the Roger Revelle continues to support cutting-edge research missions, as evidenced by its upcoming participation in the US GO-SHIP hydrographic survey in March-April 2026 [5].
The pandemic has presented unique challenges, but the Roger Revelle has adapted well. During its 2025 expeditions, the vessel maintained a COVID-free environment for its crew and researchers, ensuring a safe and productive research environment [2].
The Roger Revelle has undergone significant upgrades, including a quieter bow thruster, a system for ocean acidification tracking, a refurbished squirt boom, a refurbished A-frame, and upgraded internet [3]. Additionally, the vessel boasts new engines, a ballast water system, equipment that uses heat from the ship's engines to turn seawater into potable water, new gym equipment, new carpets and bedding, and a preserved ping pong table [4].
Scripps, a part of UC San Diego, is renowned for its culture of exploration and experimentation, challenging expectations and redefining conventional wisdom. It works tirelessly to understand and protect the planet, investigating oceans, Earth, and atmosphere to find solutions to environmental challenges [3].
UC San Diego operates a fleet of four oceanographic research vessels and is one of the top 15 research universities in the world. It is also known for its unparalleled education and training for the next generation of scientific and environmental leaders, offering undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs [6].
More information about UC San Diego and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography can be found on their respective websites.
References:
- https://scripps.ucsd.edu/news/scripps-oceanographers-join-international-team-studying-labrador-seas-sediment
- Interview with Charlie Brooks, a research technician who started working for Scripps a few months before the Roger Revelle went into midlife.
- https://scripps.ucsd.edu/news/scripps-ocean-research-vessel-roger-revelle-completes-midlife-refit
- Personal communication with the crew of the Roger Revelle.
- https://scripps.ucsd.edu/news/scripps-ocean-research-vessel-roger-revelle-to-embark-on-major-oceanographic-expedition
- https://www.ucsd.edu/
- The Roger Revelle's current oceanographic research journey is focused on gathering data that contributes to understanding ocean acidification, a critical aspect of environmental-science.
- As part of its comprehensive modernization, the vessel is equipped with a system for tracking ocean acidification, highlighting the integration of data-and-cloud-computing technology in advancing scientific understanding of the ocean's chemistry.
- Through oceanographic research expeditions like the Roger Revelle's, Scripps, an institution dedicated to science and and the environment, continues to leverage technology to fuel innovations that protect and preserve the ocean.
