Media Advisory: Lake Ontario Scientists, Officials Welcome New "Floating Laboratory"

The U.S. Geological Survey will celebrate the newest addition to its fleet of large research vessels in a traditional Christening and commissioning ceremony at the Lake Ontario Event and Conference Center in Oswego, New York, on Wednesday, August 6. 

The new, large research vessel will enable USGS Lake Ontario Biological Station scientists to explore fish health and water-quality in Lake Ontario. This research is used by federal, state and provincial resource managers to protect and restore the lake’s ecosystem and the New York sport fishery that generates $54 million annually.

What: Christening and commissioning of the new, state-of-the-art USGS Research Vessel Kaho

Who: USGS Acting Director Suzette Kimball will Christen the vessel
Pamela Dei, USGS Eastern Region mechanical engineer will commission the vessel
Office of U.S. Congressman Dan Maffei
New York State Assemblyman William Barclay
Office of Patty Ritchie, New York State Senator

Local elected officials, agency leaders and Native American representatives

When: Wednesday, August 6
10:30 a.m. Commencement
11:30 a.m. Christening and commissioning ceremony
Tours of the R/V Kaho for attendees and media will follow the ceremony

Where: Lake Ontario Event and Conference Center
26 East First Street
Oswego, NY

The new R/V Kaho is one of two recently constructed 70-foot research vessels replacing some of the oldest boats in the USGS Great Lake’s fleet. The new vessel features several new nautical advances, including a high-performance hull, constructed entirely from aluminum, allowing for lighter weight and increased speed and stability. The vessel was designed with state-of-the-art navigation and scientific capabilities, giving the USGS modern scientific resources for research into Lake Ontario’s coastal and deep-water ecosystems.

Vessel construction was funded by an $8.2 million award from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The USGS contracted with the Great Lakes Towing Company of Cleveland, Ohio, in 2010 for the design and construction of the new research vessels. The new boats were completed in July 2012.