Research Vessels are floating laboratories for conducting science at sea, gathering information vital to increased understanding and better stewardship of our planet.  

This presentation delves into some of the challenges faced by field oceanography – crushing pressure, corrosive seawater, biofouling, material strength limits in long tension members, power limitations, arctic temperatures, Internet access, communications, personal safety, the logistics involved in operating to the literal ends of the earth – and the technical solutions engineers employ to overcome them.