It is not hard to see how the Glacier Bay Field Station
Research Vessel got its name. A confusing array of
protuberances allow R/V Quillback to perform a wide range of
research functions for a vessel of its size (38 feet). The
device on the bow is a hydrophone which is used to track marine
species which have a implanted or attached sonic tag giving out a
unique coded id. It has both forward and downward facing
hydrophones and can be lowered to a depth of two meters and
revolves 360 degrees. Besides tracking animals (both above
and below the water) the vessel has been used to long-line for
halibut and ground fish, tow nets for small-schooling fish,
perform oceanographic surveys, tow a side-scan sonar, deploy
divers of the removable stern, deploy crab sampling pots and rings
and perform numerous other research functions. Quillback,
officially known as MMS 1273, is on long-term loan through the
generous efforts of the Minerals Management Service. The
boat is captained by Jim de La Bruere.
 R/V Quillback was
returned to Minerals Management Service in early 1998 due to their
need to conduct research in Cook Inlet, Alaska. The Alaska
Science Center - Biological Science Office purchased a used fishing vessel Alaskan
Gyre to replace the Quillback. This 52-foot vessel greatly
increases the Field Station's ability to conduct marine research
year-round in Southeast Alaska.
|
