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Research Vessel F.G. Walton Smith

Vessel Empowers the University of Miami’s Marine Research

By University of Miami

January 8^th, 2024

Named after the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science’s founder, the Research Vessel F.G. Walton Smith explores reefs, mangroves, and grass beds. The 96-foot-long, 40-foot-wide watercraft has 700 square feet of laboratory space, an additional 950-square-foot of back deck working area, and 10 staterooms that can accommodate up to 19 people.

Research Vessel F.G. Walton Smith

Research Vessel F.G. Walton Smith

Research Vessel F.G. Walton Smith

Research Vessel F.G. Walton Smith

In 23 years of service, the vessel has conducted more than 300 oceanographic research expeditions with approximately 2,250 days at sea.

Research Vessel F.G. Walton Smith

Research Vessel F.G. Walton Smith

Research Vessel F.G. Walton Smith

Research Vessel F.G. Walton Smith

Research Vessel F.G. Walton Smith

Research Vessel F.G. Walton Smith

Research Vessel F.G. Walton Smith

Research Vessel F.G. Walton Smith

Research Vessel F.G. Walton Smith

Research Vessel F.G. Walton Smith

Research Vessel F.G. Walton Smith

Research Vessel F.G. Walton Smith

Research Vessel F.G. Walton Smith

Research Vessel F.G. Walton Smith

The vessel has done several research trips around the east and west coasts of Florida and in the Gulf Stream off Florida’s east coast. The ship has been as far north as New York, as far west as Houma, Louisiana, and carried out work in the Gulf of Mexico, including research after the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster in 2010. This past summer the vessel had traveled to its farthest location from its home port—a two-month research trip to South America. The ship’s crew and scientists successfully completed various sediment sampling deployments and collections off the coasts of Brazil, French Guiana, and Suriname.

Research Vessel F.G. Walton Smith

Research Vessel F.G. Walton Smith

Research Vessel F.G. Walton Smith

Research Vessel F.G. Walton Smith

Research Vessel F.G. Walton Smith

Research Vessel F.G. Walton Smith

Research Vessel F.G. Walton Smith

The view of Virginia Key and Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science as the vessel heads back to the dock. Photo: Joshua Prezant. University of Miami

Footnotes

Photos and design by Joshua Prezant. Video by Franco LaTona with additional aerial footage by Mariano Copello.

FootNotes

Photos and design by Joshua Prezant. Video by Franco LaTona with additional aerial footage by Mariano Copello.

© 2026 University of Miami

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