Marine Sciences Vessel
JOHN STRICKLAND

Introduction

The Marine Sciences Vessel John Strickland, built for the University of Victoria in 1975, was named for the marine biologist whose pioneering research involved small vessel operations in British Columbia's west coast waters. The 16m vessel has a history of versatile operations in coastal waters inaccessible to larger craft A major refit in 1991 updated vessel fittings and operating capacity.

Operations are managed by the Dean of Science to provide support for teaching and research programs primarily in the areas of ocean sciences and marine coastal studies. Groups both on and off campus may book the vessel for periods from several hours to several weeks.

Areas of Operation

Strickland was designed to operate in the complex coastal waters of British Columbia. The shallow draft allows the vessel to cross the sills of most inlets. The vessel has worked in poorly accessible areas such as Sooke Basin, Barkley Sound, Sechelt Inlet and the Fraser Delta.

Strickland is not suited for open ocean work. Operations are carried out within 30 km of shore and with not more than 160km between suitable ports of refuge.

Programs Supported by the Strickland

The Strickland fills a special niche as a smaller, versatile vessel, well equipped for inshore studies. It is ideal for field components of college or university undergraduate and graduate courses and for research fieldwork by university, learned society, or private sector groups. The vessel may occasionally be used in support of 'outreach' activities. Up to sixteen passengers can be accommodated on short trips. Commercial use of Strickland may be accommodated but only on a not-to-interfere basis and only after a search for other suitable commercially available vessels is exhausted.

Strickland offers a versatile platform for an array of deck and laboratory operations, including hydrocasts, CTD casts, mid-water and seabed trawls, plankton tows, sediment sampling by cores and dredges, on board sorting, analyses and data collection and processing. Use of the vessel as a platform for diving, ROV operation and support for other novel instrumentation is also possible.

General specifications Length overall: 16m (52') Maximum beam: 4.5m (14'6") Maximum draught: 2.6m (8') Tonnage: 39.9 Propulsion: single screw, 275hp diesel       18" hydraulic bow thruster Cruising speed: 8.5 knots Maximum speed: 10 knots Endurance: 10 days @ 12 hr/day Generator: 35kva 220/110 VAC Hull type: welded aluminium

Equipment and facilities

In addition to the open deck work area there is an aft wet lab, and small dry lab / mess area along with a modest amount of storage space. Laboratories and work areas may be customized to suit specific projects.

A 680kg capacity A-frame derrick with a multi-purpose winch can accommodate a 1,500m wire rope or cable. An articulated hydraulic boom has a capacity of 650kg at 8m full extension.

A 3.8 m Zodiac with 25hp outboard motor is available for project support and shore access.

The vessel is equipped with a full range of safety, positioning and communications equipment.

Complement:
Extended 'overnight' cruises: 3 crew and 3 scientists.
Local 'day' trips: 2 crew and 16 scientists.

Strickland has a four berth forecastle, galley / mess area and head.

Planning your cruise

When preparing a budget for ship use or scheduling a ship time project the following tips should be considered:

Suitability and availability of the vessel
Don’t forget to check with us that the vessel is suitable for your project. Book early. We like to give the Master as much advance notice as possible of cruise dates so that he may arrange for provision of deckhands. We draw on a small pool of people as deckhands and their time has to be scheduled around their regular jobs (mainly naval personnel).

Mobilization / demobilization
Most projects will involve embarkation of research and collection equipment onto the vessel prior to sailing and disembarkation after the cruise. Sufficient time must be allowed for these activities as must provision of funding . It is billable time!

Repositioning
The Strickland’s home berth is at Patricia Bay, Sidney, BC. Should your project require advance repositioning of the vessel then provision for the cost of such a move must be built into the project budget. Similarly an allowance must be made for return of the vessel to Patricia Bay after project completion. The quoted at-sea rates will apply for repositioning time.

Crew complement
The number of deckhands required on board for your project will depend on the duration and scope of the project. Normally one deckhand is sufficient but for extended trips or in situations where extra help on deck is needed for manipulation of equipment the Master may required more crew. The crew complement shall be at the Master’s ruling. Please discuss this with us before finalizing project budgets and in sufficient time to schedule staff.

Length of working days
Long working days optimize the use of the vessel and funds and our Master and crew are very flexible in this regard. However, as a guideline we would encourage at-sea time to be no more than ten hours on any one day.

Waiting on weather
This is not an overly significant issue when at home port but may be a significant cost item if away from home port. The cost, to a maximum of 10 hours per day, will be at the quoted mobilization rate plus any surcharge for extra crew.

Quotations
We will provide written cost quotations to accompany grant applications. The quotation will indicate an hourly rate for mobilization and demobilization time, at-sea hourly rates and also an hourly rate for extra deckhands. This can normally be done within a day or so, but for more complex projects please allow a few days for us to determine crew complements, repositioning estimates and the like. Not included in any quotations are: any on-shore accommodations when berthed away from home port; meals (other than light refreshments) for research personnel; and any supplies and equipment that are not part of the vessel’s regular outfit.

Non University use of the John Strickland
A more extensive contractual agreement is required for use of the vessel by off-campus organizations. The agreement will describe insurance and indemnification requirements, safety standards, exact times of use, rates and terms of payment.

General Safety Instructions
At the commencement of any cruise it is required that all passengers, researchers and students attend a short 'welcome aboard' and safety lecture given by the ship's Master. A summary of the safety instructions is available here for advance circulation to research staff and students. Download .pdf file.