Science on a Shoestring - Research Vessel Conversion

One of the challenges teaching institutions in oceanography face is to provide students meaningful sea time, given the very high costs of research vessel acquisition and operations. One approach to this problem is conversion. When a vessel built for one purpose is later dedicated to another, however, substantial alteration is usually necessary. Such was the case when F.I.T. accepted a 95´ Vietnam era patrol boat to convert to a coastal research vessel for teaching and funded research. This paper highlights some of the political, engineering, and financial considerations that attend such a venture, and offers some unsolicited advice to those who would go and do likewise.