Farewell R/V Gould

This year, the R/V Laurence M. Gould completed its 27-year run as the Antarctic Research and Supply Vessel (ARSV) for the National Science Foundation. In that time, the ship spent nearly 6,300 days at sea, with over 1,000 supporting Palmer Station science, including 25 of the 31 Palmer LTER research cruises to date.

The R/V Gould has been a big part of the PAL LTER project. In addition to the annual cruises, it has also shepherded countless scientists, graduate students, and technicians to and from Palmer Research Station.

The ship, and especially its crew and captain have been a major component of our project’s success over the years. And we greatly appreciate the time, dedication and support we have received from the R/V Gould and the NSF Antarctic Program in helping us study and understand the West Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) Ecosystem.

Here is a small gallery of photos of the ship from our 2009 cruise.

The Research Vessel Gould and a British Antarctic Survey plane offshore Prospect Point Antarctica. IMCS scientists are part of multi-institution effort to understand how climate change will affect the Antarctic ecosystem. (photo courtesy of Andrew McDonnell)

The Research Vessel Gould behind a tabular iceberg. IMCS scientists are part of multi-institution effort to understand how climate change will affect the Antarctic ecosystem. (photo courtesy of Alex Kahl)

A Rutgers underwater glider after being deployed off the research Vessel Gould. IMCS scientists are part of multi-institution effort to understand how climate change will affect the Antarctic ecosystem. (photo courtesy of Alex Kahl)

Some penguins and an elephant seal offshore Palmer Station and the Research Vessel Gould. IMCS scientists are part of multi-institution effort to understand how climate change will affect the Antarctic ecosystem. (photo courtesy of Oscar Schofield)

Ice in the coastal waters of Antarctica with the Research vessel Gould in the distance. IMCS scientists are part of multi-institution effort to understand how climate change will affect the Antarctic ecosystem. (photo courtesy of Oscar Schofield)