Facilities and Vessels

The Shoals Marine Laboratory has research vessels and laboratories used primarily for SML's undergraduate and high school courses. Vessels and laboratories are also available for use by researchers and visiting groups upon request. Researchers and visiting group leaders must charter vessels and reserve lab space in advance.

Please visit our Fees page for visitor and researcher rates.

Vessels

R/V John M. Kingsbury

Physical Characteristics

Length: 47 feet Beam: 16 feet
Draft: 6.5 feet Gross Tonnage: 34
Net Tonnage: 23 Power: 146 hp Detroit Diesel
Material: Steel Cruising Speed: 8 knots
Construction: Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding Designer: Woodin & Marean, Inc.

Passenger capacity:

The R/V John M. Kingsbury can hold up to 48 passengers and 2 crew up to 20 miles offshore. Certified as a Coast Guard inspected vessel.

Lab and Research Facilities:

Researchers and Visiting Groups may charter the R/V John M. Kingsbury when the vessel is not engaged in SML program activites during May–September. SML provides certified captain and crew for each charter.  The R/V John M. Kingsbury offers a small wet/dry lab in the main cabin, and ample deck space in the aft section of the vessel. A 1-ton hydraulic crane, an A-frame, and winch make the aft deck functional for oceanographic cruises. Four berths are located below deck.

Available Research Equipment:

  • SeaBird CTD
  • Plankton nets, for both zooplankton and phytoplankton
  • Otter Trawl
  • Bottom "pipe" dredge
  • Niskin water sampler
R/V J.B. Hesier

Physical Characteristics:

Length: 35.7 feet Beam: 12.3 feet
Draft: 1.5 feet Gross Tonnage: 13
Net Tonnage: 11 Power: 454 hp Caterpilar C7
Material: Aluminum Cruising Speed: 15 knots
Construction: Winninghoff Boats Designer: Winninghoff Boats

Passenger capacity:

The R/V J.B. Heiser can hold up to 23 passengers and 2 crew up to 100 miles offshore. Certified as a Coast Guard inspected vessel.

Lab and Research Facilities:

Researchers and Visiting Groups may charter the R/V J.B. Heiser when the vessel is not engaged in SML program activites during May – September. SML provides certified captain and crew for each charter.  The R/V J.B. Heiser has a starboard davit for hauling.

Available Research Equipment:

  • Plankton nets, for both zooplankton and phytoplankton
  • Niskin water sampler
  • Hagfish trap deployment/retrieval

R/V Acipenser

R/V Acipenser
R/V Acipenser
  • 1994 - Winninghoff Boats
  • 27 ft aluminum hull
  • 120 hp Volvo Penta AD31D Diesel

R/V Storm Petrel

  • 2006 - Parker 2120 Sport Cabin
  • 21 ft fiberglass hull
  • Yamaha 150 outboard
R/V Miss Christine
R/V Miss Christine

R/V Miss Christine

  • 16 ft Boston Whaler

Inflatables

  • Achilles SU-16
  • Outboard motor

Sailboats

  • S/V Becker - Herreshoff Doughdish 16'
  • S/V Mako - Cape Dory 19' Typhoon

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Labs & Systems

The following laboratory spaces are available on Appledore Island:

Palmer-Kinne Laboratory ("P-K")

For SML undergraduate/high school courses
  • 2 large laboratory/teaching spaces
  • 2 sea tables (flow-thru) for specimens
  • Microscope stations (compound & dissecting scopes)
  • Image-capture camera scopes (Olympus BX40 and SZX61)
  • Video-capture scopes (Olympus BX40 and SZX61)
  • Outside necropsy/dissection table
  • Chest freezer for specimen storage
  • Lab equipment and instruments can be checked out with the SML Lab Coordinator

Kiggins Commons Basement Laboratory

For SML research interns and visiting researchers
  • Lecture space
  • Lab bench space
  • 5 sea tables (flow-thru) for specimens
  • Chest freezer for specimen storage
  • Mini-refridgerator

Laighton Laboratory

For SML courses and visiting researchers
  • 3 classroom/lecture spaces (projector-capable)
  • 2 laboratory spaces
  • Seatable (flow-thru) for specimens
  • 2 deep tanks for specimens
  • Library
  • Desktop computers (student-use)
  • Printer station (student-use)

Grass Lab

Appledore Island Migration Station & Sustainable Engineering Interns
  • Seatable (flow-thru)
  • Lab bench space
  • Mini-refrigerator

More information coming soon...

Visit our Sustainable Appledore page to learn about sustainable infrastructure installations and SML's green energy programs.

Sample Island Systems:

  • Saltwater pump system (for sea tables)
  • Solar hot water heating system (for showers)
  • SCUBA compressor bank
  • Leach fields (waste water treatment)

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Students gather around the sea table in Palmer-Kinne Lab.
Photo by J. Gasowski (UNH)

Facilities & Vessels Contact

For questions regarding Facilities or Vessels please contact: