NOAA Research Vessel Now Homeported in Newport

NEWPORT, RI—Today marks the first day that the 209-foot research vessel Henry B. Bigelow is officially homeported here in Newport, marking a "victory for the Ocean State," according to U.S. Sen. Jack Reed.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association fisheries research vessel has a primary objective of studying and monitoring Northeast Marine Fisheries throughout New England and has nets that trawl as deep as 6,000 feet.

The Bigelow collects data used for stock assessments that ultimately influences catch limits and fishing quotas as well as help scientists understand changes to the fishery.

Reed said that he has been lobbying for years for the ship to be homeported here in Rhode Island to save taxpayers money.

NOAA officials said that change is based on a study that included another vessel, the Okeanos Explorer, a deep sea exploration ship homeported at Quonset Point at the Port of Davisville in North Kingstown.

NOAA is not currently changing the homeport for Okeanos Explorer but there is a long-term vision of both vessels sharing a new T-pier at NAVSTA Newport. That's the recommendation of a formal federal Analysis of Alternatives for both NOAA ships that measured each vessel's operational requirements and homeport options.

“Rhode Island is a critical hub for oceanographic research and permanently homeporting this vessel in Newport is a smart, cost-effective move that is in the best interests of taxpayers and NOAA researchers,” Reed, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said. "I commend the U.S. Department of Commerce and NOAA for reaching this decision, which I have long advocated, and I will continue working to strengthen collaboration between the federal government and ocean researchers here in Rhode Island.”

Moving the ship to Newport has advantages. Reed said that berthing Bigelow in Newport "will offer the opportunity to cooperate with federal partners" including the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard.

“We’re glad to have a solid plan for the future that reinforces NOAA’s commitment in New England and builds on our strong partnership with the Navy and the Coast Guard,” said NOAA Vice Admiral Michael S. Devany, Deputy Under Secretary for Operations. “The permanent assignment of NOAA ship Henry B. Bigelow to Newport anchors NOAA’s presence in the region and supports our vital science missions in the Northeast.”

The waterfront at Naval Station Newport is an integral part of operations for NOAA and U.S. Coast Guard vessels. Currently, Newport is home to three Coast Guard buoy tenders, CGC Juniper, CGC Willow, and CGC Ida Lewis, as well as the Patrol Boat CGC Tiger Shark. It regularly hosts visiting vessels and supports the important work of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC).

While the Bigelow’s primary goal is to use its acoustic equipment to get an accurate count of fish populations in New England, it has also been used for other important missions. In 2010, in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster, NOAA deployed the ship to the Gulf of Mexico to help determine if any oil continued to leak from the plugged well, 5,000 feet below the surface, and monitor the undersea environment for any changes.

The Bigelow was built by VT Halter Marine Inc. in Mississippi and launched in 2005.