The Marine Mammal Institute is the recipient of three fishing vessels donations through a permit buy back program for ground fish. The first boat gifted, the R/V Pacific Storm has been refitted for research purposes through our boat donation program and is fully operational. Curry Marine and Yaquina Boat Equipment, have done much of the maintenance and refurbishment here in the Newport area. Through 2006, the cost of remodeling and refitting the Pacific Storm totaled $574,264, with over $316,000 spent in Lincoln County. All of this has been done with private donations and without government expenditure. Fifty-two local vendors have benefited from the vessel's activities here in port. The Pacific Storm was the first boat gifted and therefore the first boat refitted for research purposes.

The other two research vessels are the Olympic and the Sleep Robber and they are awaiting funds for conversion. We are proud to show you the completed conversion of the R/V Pacific Storm through these photos.

And a tour photo gallery.

The Pacific Storm is an 84' OA steel hulled, converted fishing vessel with a 24' beam. The main cabin area has been extended 18' onto the back deck for lab, computer, meeting and work space. The vessel has berthing for up to 11 people (crew and scientists), two showers, and three heads. It has a knuckle boom with a 6 ton lifting capacity and a 30 foot reach mounted to the back of the living area for loading/unloading supplies, boats, etc. The aft deck area measures 24' long by 20'W wide and normally carries an inboard 22' Zodiac Hurricane RHIB (rigid hull inflatable boat). Another RHIB can be stored behind the wheelhouse, on top of the lab area. There are sleeping accommodations for 6 in three separate rooms, and two heads plus a shower on the lower level (below the back deck). A forward V-berth area sleeps 4 people forward of the galley with an adjacent head and shower. There is a captain's bed in the wheelhouse. A fresh water maker provides 800 gallons/day to supplement the 1,000+ gallon capacity water tank. A series of 1500 watt lights illuminating both the deck and the waters in front of the vessel provide the capacity for around the clock work. The vessel has berthing for up to 11 people (crew and scientists).

A series of 1500 watt lights illuminating both the deck and the waters in front of the vessel provide the capacity for round the clock work.

Specifications

Sleeping:

Main Level:
4 bunks in bow section

Lower Level:
2 rooms with 2 bunks each
1 room with queen size bed - can accommodate couple

Bridge:
1 bunk for captain

Engines:

Main engine: Caterpillar 3412
~15 gallons/hr fuel consumption
Top speed 9.5 kts
Cruising speed: 8.5 kts

Hydrualic engine: Cummins 300 hp in-line 6 cyl.
2 - 60 gallon pumps
1 - 45 gallon pump
1 - 35 gallon pump

Generators:
Detroit 55 kw generator: 110/220V 3 phase
Inuzu 55 kw generator: 110/220V 3 phase

Capacity:
Fuel: 15,000 gallons
Water: 2,800 gallons
Lube oil: 100 gallons
Hydraulic oil: 400 gallons

Electrical:
AC: 110V, 220V
DC: 32V, 12V

The lights run on 110V so here is always AC power available.

Wheelhouse equipment:

• 2 Furuno radars (16 mile, 24 mile)
• 2 Auto pilots (Furuno and ComNav)
• 1 Furuno 600 Watt dual frequency (50/200) echo sounder
• 2 GPS units (Furuno, ComNav differential GPS)
• 3 GPS units (Lowrance)
• 1 PC with NavTracl plotting software
• 1 Single sideband radio
• 2 VHF marine radios (Icom, Uniden)

Other Miscellaneous equipment:

• Air compressor with attachments throughout the vessel
• Fuel transfer pump bringing diesel to the aft deck for fueling
• RHIBs
• Satellite phone, and email
• Fresh Water Maker (900 gal/day)