The Research Vessel Zephyr is currently owned by Ron Micjan and is operated under Outbound Marine LLC. The Zephyr was purchased from Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute in October 2013, moved to Portland, Oregon, and refurbished over the next 2.5 years into a custom cruising, small ship expedition and research vessel.

History
United States
Name
  • San Francisco (-2001)
  • RV Zephyr (2001-2013)
  • "Zephyr" (2013-present)
Owner
OperatorOutbound Marine LLC
BuilderColberg boat works
Laid down1972
Launched1973
Identification
StatusActive as of 2024
General characteristics
Class and typeResearch vessel
Tonnage119 GRT
Length79 ft (24 m)
Beam23 ft 6 in (7.16 m)
Draught8 ft (2.4 m)
Installed power840 shp
Speed10 kn (12 mph)
Range2,500 nmi (2,900 mi) at 10 kn (12 mph)

Currently the Zephyr is operational on the Pacific coast of the US and has worked from Juneau and Dutch Harbor Alaska all the way down to San Diego. Customers include NOAA Fisheries, NOAA MML, US Army Corps of Engineers, DARPA, US Navy, US Army and Oregon State University.

Prior ownership of Zephyr was as a research vessel operated by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). It was the primary platform of operations for MBARI's AUV program and it was then christened R/V Zephyr.

The original owner of the vessel was the San Francisco Bar Pilots Association who had her built to specification by the Colberg Boat Works in Stockton.

References

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