A shipbuilding company in Wisconsin will begin building a research vessel for the University of Alaska this spring. The contract to build the ice-capable “AARV Sikuliaq” went to Marinette Marine Corporation. The boat is due to be delivered in 2013 and will be home-ported in Seward. Along with its ice-breaking capabilities, the 254-foot boat will be equipped with state-of-the-art multi-beam sonar, capable of detailed mapping of the ocean floor.
Steve Heimel, APRN – Anchorage
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