A Proud Seagoing Tradition

The 185-foot Research Vessel Endeavor is based in Narragansett, Rhode Island. RV Endeavor is owned by the National Science Foundation and has been operated by the University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO) for more than thirty years. Scientists from Rhode Island, the greater US, and abroad, conduct research and train graduate students aboard this multi-disciplinary oceanographic research vessel.

URI has 45 years of nearly continuous experience operating world-ranging and world-class research vessels. The first of these ships, RV Trident, was a 180-foot, converted US Army coastal freighter (FS-206), which was launched in January 1945. RV Trident was acquired in 1962 and operated successfully until 1976 when she was replaced by RV Endeavor, one of three purpose-built ships, designed from the keel up as a modern oceanographic research vessel. In 1993 RV Endeavor underwent a major mid-life refit that included lengthening the hull and significant modifications to the superstructure. GSO took the lead in the design phase of the class mid-life refit.

Through 2009, RV Endeavor has carried out over 450 cruises and steamed approximately one million nautical miles in support of science. She has carried literally thousands of scientists, engineers, technicians, and students on these expeditions. In her career, RV Endeavor has operated throughout the Atlantic Ocean, ranging as far north as Svalbard Archipelago (82ON) and south to Tristan de Cunha (38OS). In the last five years she has sailed across Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and into the Black Sea and from Brazil across the ocean to Africa. RV Endeavor has also operated in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico and into the Pacific Ocean as far as Easter Island and Hawaii.

The RV Endeavor Marine Office and Technicians oversee vessel operations. The State of Rhode Island-supported RI Endeavor Program provides Rhode Islanders with direct access to the scientific research and educational capabilities of RV Endeavor. As part of the RI Endeavor Program, educators are provided sea-going research experiences through the RI Teacher-at-Sea Program.