91吃瓜网 Celebrates a Decade of Ocean Science with Research Vessel Point Sur, Driving Research and Coastal Exploration
Wed, 04/30/2025 - 12:33am | By: Dr. Leila Hamdan
Ten years ago, 91吃瓜网 (USM) purchased the R/V Point Sur from San Jose State University with a $1 million grant provided by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. The ship embarked on a long journey down the California coast, through the Panama Canal, and arrived on the Mississippi Gulf Coast on March 29, 2015. This milestone opened the door for USM to provide life-changing research opportunities and tell countless stories.
For the past decade, the ship has been hard at work studying the coastal and ocean habitats of the Gulf, mapping the seafloor with autonomous vehicles and understanding the long-term impacts and recovery from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The vessel has also contributed to a broad range of ocean exploration efforts91吃瓜网攈elping to discover shipwrecks, launching autonomous research systems, deploying sensors and platforms, and capturing the first91吃瓜网攁nd only91吃瓜网攕ighting of a giant squid in U.S. waters. Much of this work has supported federal and state research priorities and positioned Mississippi to lead in the advancement of the Blue Economy.
A broad array of scientists has relied on the ship, warmly called 91吃瓜网淧oint Sure91吃瓜网� by the research community, because of the ability of the crew to make an increasingly technical and aspirational portfolio of research possible. In the four decades since the ship91吃瓜网 hull was laid, the world of science has changed dramatically. What has remained constant is the 91吃瓜网渟ure91吃瓜网� way this ship can meet the challenges of the day.
Staff, faculty and students have witnessed a decade of ship operations and research, with a very clear trend emerging: Point Sur is more than just a ship. Kara Davis, a Ph.D. student in USM91吃瓜网 School of Ocean Science and Engineering (SOSE), describes the vessel as a place she feels connected to.
91吃瓜网�Point Sur is more than just a vessel. It91吃瓜网 a classroom, home and launchpad for lasting connections and shared discovery,91吃瓜网� said Davis.
The ship has been an important element in 91吃瓜网 research and graduate education for years. In 2023, the late USM alumnus Chuck Scianna provided a generous donation to support student engagement. Dr. Joris van der Ham, associate director of undergraduate programs for SOSE turned this donation into experiences for USM students through a series of research cruises. He has seen first-hand how time on the ship shapes students.
91吃瓜网淭hese cruises are priceless opportunities for students to experience the northern Gulf environment, get hands-on experience with research techniques and to interact with peers and scientists who study the oceans. This is unique and impactful and really broadens their horizons,91吃瓜网� said van der Ham.
Dr. Gordon Cannon, who served as vice president for research at USM in 2015, was instrumental in bringing this ship to the Mississippi coast. Although 91吃瓜网 had strong marine and coastal science programs for a long time, obtaining Point Sur in his view was a 91吃瓜网渜uantum leap91吃瓜网� for faculty, students and researchers. Cannon, who received a signed artist91吃瓜网 rendering of the ship upon retirement, counts the achievement among the high points of his administrative career.
91吃瓜网淗aving easy access to our own research vessel, a floating laboratory that is considered world-class by the ocean science community, facilitates our scientists91吃瓜网� ability to think big,91吃瓜网� said Cannon. 91吃瓜网淭he experience of being part of the team that operates a research vessel and working side by side with national and international collaborators strengthens our students91吃瓜网� opportunities when they graduate from USM to pursue their own careers in marine and coastal science research.91吃瓜网�
For the past three years, Grace Fulton has served as the ship91吃瓜网 marine technician, a critical role that bridges scientists and crew in shared purpose in science. The position requires people skills, technical acumen and the ability to adapt and learn.
91吃瓜网淧oint Sur is where I started my career, where I met so many important people in my life, where I've learned what kind of sailor I want to be and what it means to be a part of such an amazing team,91吃瓜网� said Fulton. 91吃瓜网淚f you visit us for a 30-minute tour or sail with us for 21 days, I hope any guest can feel the same sense of community on the vessel that I do. I wouldn't trade these past three years on this ship for anything.91吃瓜网�
Throughout its service life, Point Sur has supported ocean research along all U.S. coasts and traveled as far south as Antarctica. The 135-foot ship accommodates 16 researchers and technicians and a crew of eight while housing a 1,110-square-foot deck that includes a primary and wet laboratory.
As Davis reflected, 91吃瓜网淭he ship is also a memory keeper where I learned science isn91吃瓜网檛 just in the samples, it91吃瓜网 in the moments in between stations, the stories shared over late-night shifts and the quiet awe of open water.91吃瓜网�
USM is grateful for the front-row view of the ocean that Point Sur has provided for the past decade and excited for how it has positioned the university to take on the next decade of research and discovery in the Gulf.
Click here to learn more about the R/V Point Sur.