The U.S. Navy has transported its newest oceanographic survey vessel to Port Everglades near Florida to its construction site Pascagoula, Mississippi in the ship’s first voyage.The Naval Oceanographic Office’s civilian survey detachment assessed USNS Maury’s over-the-side operations and underwater cameras designed for autonomous underwater vehicle launch and recovery missions during the trip, the Navy said Thursday.
Named after Cmdr. Matthew Fontaine Maury, the Pathfinder-class oceanographic survey vessel spans 353 feet in length and accommodates a moon pool for launching and retrieving autonomous underwater vehicles.
Capt. Nick Vincent, NAVOCEANO executive officer, said USNS Maury is intended to provide technology to warfighters and set a foundation for the next class of survey vessels.
The Military Sealift Command operates the oceanographic survey vessel and NAVOCEANO took control of the ship for the chief of Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command at Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.
