SAHARA was originally named "Oceanographer" and was built by Aerojet General Shipyards at Jacksonville, Florida. At 303 feet (92 meters) in length she was the largest vessel constructed for research purposes to date. Her stark white paint, large radome aft of the funnels and heavy crane on the aft deck gave her a distinctive appearance. She had chemistry, wet and dry oceanographic, meteorological, gravimetric, and photographic laboratories. She also had several precision oceanographic winches.USC&GS Oceanographer entered service with the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey on 13 July 1966, the second Coast and Geodetic Survey ship of the name, serving as flagship of the Survey's fleet. When the Coast and Geodetic Survey and other United States Government agencies combined to form NOAA in 1970, she became flagship of the NOAA fleet and, as NOAAS Oceanographer, the first NOAA ship to bear the name.

This vessel has many unique, and valuable attributes, some of which are very advanced, such as diesel electric propulsion by Westinghouse. It also has a 'moon pool' for diving from inside the hull, and a pressurized walk-in bulbous-bow with portholes that serves as a unique underwater observatory. There could be no place better than this for observing dolphins at play.

The last owner started a major re-fit program on the vessel in Seattle, but misfortunes kept him from completing the tasks. However, a number of conversion studies have been undertaken by top naval architects and the vessel has been thoroughly surveyed and sea-trialled. A new suite of navigation electronics and other upgrades and re-fit measures were taken to prepare her for a trans-oceanic voyage. This vessel can go to sea in a relatively short time-frame.

NAVIGATION LIMITS
Waters of any Ocean, year round.

Operational Criteria
Endurance: Vessel's fuel capacity of 348,655 US gal will allow vessel to operate for approximately 58-days at cruising speed. Provisioning endurance is 150 days.
Distance: Under ideal conditions subject vessel could travel approximately 18,000 miles at 13 knots speed.

Recommended Manning
USCG Licensed Master: One Licensed Mate: Two
USCG Licensed Engineer: Three Mess Cook/Housekeepers: Two
Seamen: Four Oiler/Wipers: Three

Stability Criteria
Authority: U. S. Coast Guard Criteria: Military

Design Characteristics
Watertight Hull Compartmentation: Fifty-seven major watertight compartments and/or integral tanks consisting of: Thirty-one fuel oil tanks; One Forepeak Void tank; One ant-roll void; One waste oil tank; One lube oil tank; One sewage tank; Two Afterpeak potable water tanks; One sewage tank; Upper-Forepeak; Chain Locker; Bow thruster room, Electric Repair Shop; Survey Supply Hold; Seven “D” Deck quarters areas; Bosun’s Locker; Two “E” Deck forward quarters areas; Engine room; Machine shop area; Capstan Machinery Room; Lazaret.

Hull Form: Displacement type non-planing hull with lightly raked, sharp bow; raised foredeck; straight, near vertical, curved with increased flare forward sides; flat sheer; Curved transom, Near flat bottom with 18” dead-rise at midsection.

Superstructure Form: Three level deck house with pilot house forward on upper level, located forward of amidships on raised foredeck. One exhaust stack located aft and above pilot house near amidships; two fabricated steel light masts, located on top of pilot house and aft end of deck house; Pedestal mounted hydraulic crane located forward and aft.

Layout, Forward to Aft:

Observation “I” Deck: Exterior deck, located on pilot house cabin top, accessible by exterior port and starboard stair only; Generally contains forward and aft navigation light mast, running lights, electronics antennae, two signal/search lights, directional loud speaker, sound powered telephone, Gyro repeater mount, binnacle mounted magnetic compass, flag storage cabinet, pyrotechnic cabinet and exhaust stack.

Bridge “H” Deck: Is the second deck above the Forecastle Deck, It has an exterior deck all around; .It can be accessed from either exterior or interior stairs; Generally contains the pilot which is equipped with navigation and communication electronics, pilot house navigation station with chart table, and chart room, with lighted chart table,located immediately aft, followed by plotting room, Radio room, and work shops.

Officers “G” Deck: Is the deck above the Forecastle deck, It has an exterior deck all around; and is accessed by interior and exterior stairs. Generally contains, Captains quarters with office containing ship’s safe, stateroom with berth, hanging and drawer lockers and private head with toilet, lavatory and shower; Captain’s Pantry, Five Officers 1-person staterooms each equipped with berth, hanging and drawer lockers and private head with toilet, lavatory and shower; Two Jr. Officers Staterooms each equipped with berth, hanging and drawer lockers and sharing one and private head with toilet, lavatory and shower; Bosun’s Workshop; Battery room; Emergency Generator Room.

Forecastle “F” Deck: Is the deck above the Main Deck, It has exterior deck all around; It can be accessed by exterior or interior stairs it is accessed from port and starboard air castles through watertight doors in weather plate to foredeck. This deck generally contains foredeck access to Paint locker, anchor winch, Hydraulic crane and weather plate followed by 01 Level of deck house which generally contains: VIP Stateroom with day room equipped with berth, hanging and drawer lockers and private head with toilet, lavatory and shower; Eight 2-person
Staterooms sharing one and private head with toilet, lavatory and shower; One 1-person Stateroom equipped with berth, hanging and drawer lockers and private head with toilet, lavatory and shower; Gyro Room; Five Offices; Chief Engineer’s Stateroom equipped with berth, hanging and drawer lockers and private head with toilet, lavatory and shower; Upper Balloon Room Trunk and aft deck with electric crane.

Main “E” Deck: Is the uppermost full length deck, It has an exterior deck aft. The forward portion that is within the bounds of the forecastle contains two watertight bulkheads; It can be accessed from above and below by interior stairs and escape ladders. It generally contains Bosun’s Stores, Chain Locker, Windlass Room, Chain Locker, Ship’s Laundry, Sick Bay, Medical Officer’s Quarters Galley, Crew’s Mess, Officer’s Mess, Scientist’s Mess, Officer’s Lounge, Canteen, Ship’s Office, Barber Shop, E. T. Shop, Computer Room, Oceanographic Lab, Port and Starboard Analysis Labs, Seismic Lab, Wet Lab Seismic Gear Room, Well Access Hatch, Deep Sea Anchor unit room, aft deck with Capstan winches, Traction and Tension units.

Quarters “D” Deck: Is the next deck below the main deck and is accessed by interior stair wells forward, amidships and aft; It is divided by nine (9) watertight bulkheads with W/T Doors at bulkheads; It generally contains Bosun’s Stores with access from Forecastle Foredeck, Ships Survey Supplies, Mechanic and Carpenters
shops, Thirty-four (34) 2-person staterooms equipped with berths, hanging and drawer lockers; Two (2) 5-person toilets, Two (2) 5-person showers, One (1) 2-person toilet and shower; Eight (8) 1-person staterooms equipped with berths, hanging and drawer lockers; Crew’s Lounge; CPO Lounge; Fan Rooms, Hydraulic Room; Airconditioning Room; Steering Room.

Lower “C” Deck: Is the second deck below the Main deck. It is accessed by foreword, amidships and aft stairwells. It Generally contains the Bow Thruster Motor Room; Electrical Repair Shop; Butcher Shop; Frozen Meat Locker; Vegetable Cooler; Dairy Chiller; Upper Engine room Machinery Flat; Engine Control room; Photo Lab; Office; Aft Supply Lockers; Deep F/O Tanks.

Machinery “B” Deck: Is the Lowest deck that is accessible without entering tanks. It Generally contains, the Bow thruster tube; Dry Stores Area; Boiler, distiller and Generator room; Engine Room; Motor room and shaft alleys.

Tank Top “A” Deck: Is the lowest deck in the vessel and generally contains accesses to the transducer chest and double bottom tanks.
Accommodations: Air-conditioned and heated living and sleeping facilities for Sixteen (16) Officers, five (5) Engineers, Sixty (60) other persons, for a total of eighty-one (81) as previously described. Much of overhead ceiling removed for remediation project. * Galley: Generally Contains Bakery with stainless steel tables and cabinets, work tables, wood pastry table top, three General Electric Pastry ovens; Food preparation area with two steam kettles, two General Electric cooking
ranges with grill tops and ovens, one General Electric range with Grill/deep fryer top and oven, two door refrigerator/freezer stainless steel pass through prep table and cabinets, garbage disposal and double sink; Serving area with 8-bay steam table and single door refrigerator.

Officer’s Pantry: Located adjacent to galley and generally contains, refrigerator, 5-bay steam table, stainless steel cabinets and tables.
Captain’s Pantry: Located adjacent to Captain’s Quarters and generally contains, Kenmore refrigerator/freezer, stainless steel double sink, cabinets and tables, coffee maker, dish and utensil storage, General Electric 1/2 size grill top range with oven. Scullery: Located adjacent to Galley and generally contains, single stainless steel sink with macerator unit, Hobart dishwasher, stainless steel tray tables and cabinets with dish and utensil storage.

Mooring Fittings: Twelve sets of 10-in-dia steel double post bitts, ranging six on starboard side and six on port side; Twelve hawse holes with roller chocks ranging six on each side. Watertight Integrity: Hatches, doors, scuttles and windows opening to all weather decks and/or weather deck
bulkheads are 4 & 6-dog steel and aluminum watertight types.
Construction Builder: Aerojet General Shipyard at Jacksonville, FL in 1966.
Method/Material: All welded steel hull with transverse steel angle bar and flanged plate with angle bar longitudinal and deck beam framing; all welded steel deck house; wood, plywood and pressed wood ceiling in deck house.

Major Scantlings: Stem and Keel, 6” X 3/4” flat bar; Transverse framing, 6” X 4” X 3/8” steel angle on 24” centers; Deck beams 6” X 3-1/2” X 5/16” and/or 5” X 3-1/2” X 3/16” steel angle on 24” centers; Floors and intercostals 9/16” plate; Decks 1/2”, 3/8” & 1/4” plate; Bulkhead stiffeners, 5” X 3” X 3/16” and 3” X 2” X 1/4”
steel angle.

NAVIGATION EQUIPMENT

Most recent re-fit includes a full suite of Furuno Navigational equipment, including 2 new Furuno Radars.

Required Lights
Running Lights: Red and green 112.5 degree side lights; forward and aft white 225 degree masthead lights; white 135 degree stern light; white 360 degree anchor light.
Towing Lights: Two white 225 degree forward facing lights and one 135 degree aft facing light.

Signaling Equipment
Whistle/Horn: One double trumpet pneumatic horn, equipped with F. B. Stevens Automatic Whistle Switch,

Navigation Aids
Global Positioning System: One Magnavox, model MX-1105R.
Radar: One Decca, model RMS-1630A.
Depth Recorder: One Raytheon, model DE-723.
Automatic Pilot: One Sperry Gyro, master station..
Magnetic Compass: One, binnacle mounted Ritchie, 9-1/2-in-dia with pilot house periscope.
Course Recorder: One Sperry, model 1875063.
Automatic Direction Finder: One Raytheon, model Naumatic II.
Searchlights: Two hand operated 12-in-dia incandescent bulb signal/search type.
Other Illumination: Sufficient illumination from vapor proof globe covered deck lights along side decks.
Rudder Angle Indicator: Two Sperry and one SigTrans on bridge and similar units on bridge wings and at aft steering station.
RPM Indicator: Two Electric Tachometer Company.
Speed Indicator: One Rett Products.
Distance Log: One Rett Products.
Course Change Numerical Readout: One Electrical Tachometer Company.
Windshield Wipers: Five Singer electric.
Clearview Screen: One Speich 14-in-dia.
Chart table in pilot house. *
Clinometer: Two Moeller Instruments one each on bridge and in engine control room.

Multiplex Transceiver: Two RF Communications.
VHF Radiotelephone: Two Modar, model Triton 51/75.
SSB Radiotelephone: One Sunair, model GBS-900DX.
Loud Hailer: One Bogen, with external speakers and internal speakers throughout vessel.
Intercom: One Hose McCann, 14-station sound powered telephone system throughout vessel; One Hose McCann,
4-station sound powered telephone system.; A T & T 47-station electronic intercom.
Weather Monitoring Equipment
Anemometer: One Bendix/Friez, 0 to 120 mph analog type with wind vane and repeater in pilothouse.

PROPULSION MACHINERY AND AUXILIARY SYSTEMS

THIS PASSAGE IS TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM THE ENGINEERS OPERATING MANUAL, which is over 120-pages long with 38 system diagrams.

Propulsion Machinery
There are two (2) 2500/2750 H.P. Westinghouse Main Propulsion Motors driven by four (4)
1000/1150 KW, 450 Volt D.C. Generators directly connected to Fairbanks Morse Model 38D 8% Diesel engines. The electric circuit is series loop or twin loop which permits operation of each motor by one (1) or two (2) diesel generators or operation of both motors by one (1) diesel generator. Excitation is obtained by three thyristor rectiers. In addition to the main propulsion plant there is a bow thruster unit which develops up to 10,000 pounds of thrust, utilizing a 400 H.P. Westinghouse motor. The Bow Thruster motor is driven by either the No. 2 or No. 4 main propulsion diesel generators.
Three 400 KW diesel generator units provide 450 Volts, 3 phase, 60 cycle power. This 450
source is stepped down to 120 Volt for lighting and other various equipment and purposes. Hot Jacket
water from the diesel engines is utilized to provide heat for the evaporators.
In the event of failure of the ship's service system, vital power for operations and safety is supplied
from an emergency, self-contained, diesel generator set. Capacity. of the emergency generator is 100
KW. The emergency generator feeds the emergency distribution bus.
Two automatically red, CYCLOTHERM re tube boilers are installed for supplying domestic hot
water and steam to the heaters, galley and laundry. They are each capable of supplying 2000 pounds of saturated steam per hour at 125 psi.
For the conversion of sea water to potable water, two AQUA-CHEM distilling units with a total ca-
pacity of 8000 gallons per day have been placed aboard ship. These evaporators operate on the "ash" principal, that is: evaporation due to low pressure.
To provide for the comfort of assigned personnel much of the working spaces and all of the living
and recreational areas have been air conditioned. In order to accomplish this, two CARRIER Air Conditione rs of approximately 110 tons total capacity are installed.
In order to permit the engineering plant to function with a minimum of personnel, yet operate at
maximum efciency, a centralized engine room control (CERC) has been installed. CERC provides remote, semi-automatic starting of several main systems and remote control and monitoring of selected auxiliaries from the engineering control. Additionally, the system provides automatic data logging of information required for shipboard records and by shorebased engineering staffs. This function relieves the watch of log-keeping and other clerical work associated with engineering records. A nal function of the CERC is a central display and monitor system for plant operations. However, instead of a large number of gauges and meters, an extensive visual and audio alarm system covering 192 limiting conditions is incorporated. These sensor-activated-alarms indicate either a normal or abnormal condition.Westinghouse diesel electric power system, with diesel engines driving generators that power electric motors that in turn power propeller shafts.

To determine the actual off-limit condition, a trend recorder will print-out for the watch ofcer detailed
data on the system and equipment which is not functioning normally. This permits a correct, prompt,
and assured response to danger signals.
Overall, the CERC system is composed of an Engine Room Control Console (which has instruments
for controlling the main diesel-generator sets), the Ship's Service Diesel Generator sets, the Distilling
Plant, and parts of the Diesel Oil Transfer and Purier equipment; an Engine Room Mimic Board which, through a simplied system of mimic display, reproduces the status and operation of vital engine room systems; a Visual Auxiliary and Alarm Panel containing a Start-Stop button and pilot lights for all vital
auxiliary pumps and compressors the Watch Ofcer should have under his control—as well as alarm
light(previously discussed) and acknowledgment buttons to these alarms; a General Switchboard and a Main Propulsion Switchboard; and nally, a Control Computer. In reality the computer is the heart of
the System. It is responsible for performing the following functions in a real-time sequence:
(1) Scanning of analog and contact information.
(2) Transmission of scanned information into the computer.
(3) Conversion and scaling of the collected data.
(4) Limit checking and alarming of required inputs.
(5) Storing and up-dating logic control sequences.
• (6) Data logging of calculated and scanned inputs.
(7) Digital displaying of inputs for operations guide.
(8) Typewriter trending of optional requested data or automatically sounding of an alarm when
an off-limits condition exists.
(9 ) Supplying demand functions initiated by the operator.
(1 0 ) Start-up or shut-down of logic control sequences previously programmed into the computer.

Prior to examining the various systems, it is well to have an overall picture of the arrangement of
major machinery. Figure 1, Machinery Arrangement, should be examined in connection with this discussion.

There are three main machinery spaces which include all main propulsion and normal power generating equipment and most of their supporting equipment. From forward-aft they are: the Auxiliary Machine space, Frame 53 to 64; Main Machinery space, Frame 64 to 82; and Propulsion Motor room,
Frame 82 to 94. All three spaces run the breadth of the ship and include both "B" and "C" Decks.
Machinery Space:

Auxiliary Machine Space
The lower level of this space contains the ship's service diesel generators, the evaporators and the
boilers. The bilge and ballast, bilge and both salt water service pumps are on the tank top level of the
Auxiliary Machinery Space. The No. 1 ballast and diesel oil transfer manifold and the No. 1 bilge manifold, both serving the forward section of the ship, are on the deck plates in this machinery space. The following auxiliaries are located on the forward, starboard side: vacuum priming system, potable water pumps, the hot water circulating pumps and the hot water converter.
 On the upper level on the starboard side are located the air conditioning refrigeration equipment,
service refrigeration equipment, the hot water tank and pumps, and A/C chilled water circulating pumps and the fresh water pressure tank. Port side of this level has been devoted to a machine
shop with its installed equipment.

Main Machinery Room:
The four main propulsion diesel generators and their supporting units occupy most of the area. On
the lower level, in addition to the main diesel generators, are located the starting air compressors and
their tanks, the lube oil and diesel oil purication systems, the sludge tank and pump, and the emegency fire and bilge pump. On the after bulkhead are located No. 2 and No. 3 bilge manifolds, serving the midships and after sections of the ship and the No. 2 ballast and diesel oil transfer manifold, taking suction from the midships tanks.

On the upper level is the No. 1 sewage disposal plant, the main engine freshwater warm-up heater
and pump, the ship's service diesel and boiler fuel oil service tanks and, aft, the Central Engineroom
Control Room containing the various centralized controls, mimics and primary switchboards.

Propulsion Motor Room:
The two main propulsion motors, their thrust bearings, lube oil coolers and service pumps and salt
water circulating pumps occupy the majority of space here. Additionally, on the lower level, are found
the re pump, the sanitary salt water tank and pumps, the diesel oil transfer pump and No. 3 ballast
and diesel oil transfer manifold. This last named serves the after tanks, one tube oil transfer pump and two lube oil sump pumps.

On the "C" Deck level are the ship's service and control air systems and the No. 2 sewage disposal
plant. Much of the area on this level is devoted to the diesel oil settling and day tanks. On the port side is located the electrician's workshop.


Following is a recent valuation survey excerpt:

Main engines present hours (2009)
No. 1 Engine, 1,741.5 Hours
No. 2 Engine, 488.4 Hours
No. 3 Engine, 5,019 Hours
No. 4 Engine, 2.3 Hours

Main Generators: Four Westinghouse, model CC2147, DC, 1,000/1150 kW, @ 805 rpm, 450 volt DC generators driving two bronze 12-ft-0-in-dia X 13-ft 4-in pitch propellers.
Main Motors: Two Westinghouse, model EE-6684, 2,500/2,750 hp. @ 150 rpm, 450 volt DC electric motors.

Engine Exhaust System
Piping: Dry type steel and flexible steel piping lagged in engine room, muffler located in stack on vessel's exterior.

Fuel System
Tanks: Thirty-one integral steel tanks with vents and shut-off valves at tanks.
Plumbing: Steel supply and return lines through strainer, water trap, and filters to engine with flex lines, and shut off valves at engines.
Centrifuge: Two Sharples, model DHI-10401, electric motor powered 720-gph diesel oil purifiers.
Fuel Oil Transfer Pump: One each DeLaval 1-1/2-in-dia model 3Dfx187 powered by 2-1/2 hp. electric motor.
Lube Oil System
Tanks: Two, integral steel fresh oil and one, hydraulic oil tanks with steel plumbing to on deck fill and discharge pipes.
Centrifuge: One Sharples, model AE-14MV, 225-gph capacity lube oil purifier.
Oil Transfer Pump: One DeLaval, model 3DFX118, 1-1/2-in-dia pump powered by 5-horsepower electric motor.
Dirty Oil Tank: One integral tank with Buffalo, model 1-CLM pump powered by 2-hp. electric motor with pump out capability to main deck.

Operational Controls
Steering Controls: Sperry electric/hydraulic type wheel and jog stick with two electric motor powered, hydraulic pumps, Two bridge control stations; Two bridge wing stations; One aft steering station at steering gear.

Steering Machinery: Two Dennison, model PA-202-573-X533, 29-gpm. hydraulic pumps, each powered by one 20-hp. electric motor.
Engine: Single lever engine room telegraph and back up system with like unit at engineers station; Motor control unit on bridge with port and starboard bridge wing stations also. vessel also equipped with voice tube.

Electrical System
Power Supply: 450 volt AC from service generators and 12-volt DC from storage batteries;
Shore power by means of heavy duty electric extension cord.
Batteries: Accommodations for approximately fifty, various size batteries for emergency communication power connected to plastic covered, multi-strand, copper cables, all located in corrosion proof, well-ventilated boxes in battery locker on forecastle deck . Presently on board two 20-cell Nicad banks; Four 20-cell lead acid batteries.
Battery Maintenance: 12-volt DC from permanently mounted battery chargers in deck house.
Wiring: Armor covered, multi-strand, copper marine type wiring, well secured throughout vessel's interior.
Fixtures: Marine type exterior and interior lighting fixtures, with marine type switches, light sockets and receptacles in vessel's interior.
Circuit Protection: Circuit breakers and/or fuses in all circuits with dead front master panels and switches in engine room and emergency generator room.

Ship Auxiliary Power
AC Service Generator: Four Westinghouse, model G-39, 450-volt AC, 1,000-kW generating units, each powered by one Fairbanks Morse, model 38F5 ½ , air starting fresh water cooled through heat exchanger, diesel engines.
Emergency AC Service Generator: One Westinghouse, model 5SJ4444P24Y5F1, 225/450-volt AC, 100-kW generating unit powered by one Fairbanks Morse, model 49B42 hydro starting, fresh water cooled through radiator diesel engine.

Ventilation System
Accommodations: Natural and mechanical type through door and window openings, equipped with electric central heating and air conditioning. Air-condition units presently inoperative due to removal of duct work and fan disassembly.

Engine Room: Natural and mechanical type through scuttles and vent openings, equipped with electric blowers.

Alarm System
Propulsion Engines: Audible and visual type for low oil pressure or abnormal operating temperatures of oil or coolant to engineer’s board.
Generator Engine: Audible and visual alarm, also protected by automatic shut-down system.
Bilge: Seven station audible and visual type from bridge & engine room. Hydraulic watertight door controls on bridge and at doors.
Fire/Smoke Alarm: One Kiddie, Marine, twenty (20) station audible and visual throughout vessel in accommodation spaces, galley, engine room and process spaces with monitor panel on bridge.
General Alarm: Audible and visual type with rotating beacons in high sound areas.
Potable Water System
Tanks: Two integral steel tanks with vents and shut-off valves at tanks.

Plumbing: Steel piping with in line strainer and/or filter.
Water Pressure System: Two Buffalo, model 11/4CCL, 70-gpm. 5-hp electric motor powered pressure units with pumps, surge tanks and necessary plumbing..
Water Heater: Steam heated.
Boilers: Two Crane, model Cyclothern, 80-horsepower, water tube boilers, capable of producing 2400-lbs of steam per hour.
Desalinator: Two Aqua Chem, 5165SWH1, 3,000 gal per day capacity each.
Air System Storage: One steel 500-gal. capacity air receivers; Two steel 100-gal. capacity air receivers.
Compressor: Two Quincy, model 340-30, two cylinder, 10-hp. electric motor driven , air compressors;
One Quincy, model 5120, two cylinder 25-hp. electric motor driven , air compressor; One Quincy, model D210,
one cylinder 3-hp. electric motor driven , air compressor; One Cardair, model D210, two cylinder 10-hp. electric motor driven , air compressor; One IR, 2400-lb dive compressor, located in aft equipment room.
Plumbing: Steel piping and brass valves throughout with flexible hose couplings to controls and engine starters and ship’s whistle.

Anchoring Gear
Winch: Anchors hauled by two Skagit, model WX2WYC-27-10, single gypsy drum hydraulic winch with two capstan type rope drum heads, each powered by 40-hp. electric motor/Dennison, model PVo7U 0205 LY OB 600W,
hydraulic pump, located on foredeck.
Anchor: Two Bower, 4,853 lb. each stockless type anchors, one 1-3/16-in-dia 810-ft. length of stud link chain rode with necessary swivels and shackles; Spare 250 lb. Danforth type anchor in Lazaret.
Bilge/Washdown System
Sea Chests: Two.
Bilge Pumps: One Buffalo, model 3SVL, 325-gpm. centrifugal pump powered by one 10-hp. electric motor.
Ballast Pump: One Buffalo, model 3SVL, 325-gpm. centrifugal pump powered by one 10-hp. electric motor.
Sewage System
Heads: Sea water under pressure piped to marine toilet and continuing on to Omnipure marine sewage treatment system.
Pressure System: Separate sea water system with one Goulds, model 1-1/4 X 1-1/4 CCL, 70-gpm capacity powered by 5-hp. electric motor, surge tank and necessary plumbing.

CARGO HANDLING EQUIPMENT
Deck Gear
Forward Deck Crane: One Skagit, model KX8-3.7/28, 7,300 lbs. @ 20’ radius/4,700 lbs. @ 28’ radius short pedestal mounted, hydraulic extension boom crane located on foredeck.

OCEANOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT
Electronics
Fathometer: One Raytheon, model Survey Fathometer.
Transducer Amplifiers: Two US Government Wideband 5-KHZ to 40-MHZ amplifiers.
Trailing Gear
“A” Frame: One Fabricated, all welded steel set on aft main deck with hydraulic ram extension/retraction units.

Winches
Deep Sea Anchor & Coring Winch: One Western Gear Co., model DSHW-150D, two drum level winding, winch
with a pull of 30,000-lbs @ 133-fpm. to 6,800-lbs. @ 600-fpm., powered by one 150-hp. electric motor.

SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Emergency Lighting
System: 12 volt throughout engine room and upper deck companion ways with dedicated batteries and charge maintenance system. .
Life Saving Gear
Personal Flotation Devices: Unknown number of USCG approved Type I life preservers equipped with reflective tape, and with vessel's name lettered thereon, located forward quarters area.

Hand Rails
Weather Deck: 4 ft. 5 in. to 3’-9” minimum height steel bulwark around foredeck and sides of Forecastle Deck, with 4 ft. 5 in. minimum height 4-coarse rails on forward side and 3 ft. 9 in. 3-coarse steel pipe hand along sides of rail of observation deck covered with canvas spray curtain; 3’-6” minimum height steel pipe hand rails on other decks.
Portable Fire Fighting Apparatus
Fire Axe: Several standard fire axe mounted on bulkhead at fire stations.
Fixed Fire Fighting System
Fire Pump: One Buffalo, model 21/25 WV, 325-gpm., 3-in-dia. pump, powered by 40-hp. electric motor, piped to twenty-eight stations, each with rack for section of 1-1/2-in-dia. rubber reinforced fire hose, foam wand, fire axe and spanner.
Fire/Bilge Pump: One Buffalo, model 21/25 WV, 325-gpm., 3-in-dia pump, powered by 40-hp. electric motor,
piped into bilge and fire systems.
Fixed Extinguishing System: Engine room, twenty one, 100-lb. cylinder, CO2 System. Foam system piped throughout.

2009 Survey Remarks
Bow, Port Side, Starboard Side, Stern, Bulwarks, Superstructure and Deck: found free of waste areas chafing or rot and was lightly wash-boarded and contained scattered light indents and /or insets;

Hull plate thickness ultrasonic measurements in 2005 were 0.370 forward at the main deck, 0.315 at the “A” deck aft, 0.470 at the aft engine room both port and starboard, and from 0.420 to 0.465 along 60-ft of the starboard amidships. Subject vessel is apparently ice strengthened; Hull scantlings were military specification and are considered normal for this type vessel.
Stays, Shrouds, Whip Lines, Blocks and Tackle: Generally found to be in weathered deteriorated condition.
Bilges and Internal Framing: Visible areas found free of waste, rot and/or oil accumulation.
Engine Room Machinery: Found to be clean and appeared to be subject of an adequate maintenance program.
Sufficient oil supply and extra oil and fuel filters on board for expected usage; engines reportedly previously operated without excessive exhaust smoke or crank case back pressure; exposed moving machinery parts are equipped with safety guards.
Deck Machinery: Anchor winch and deck cranes reportedly operate without binding or exhibiting elliptical motion of drums; clutches, dogs cables, sheaves hooks and brakes appear to be in satisfactory condition.
Decks: Guard rails and bulwark are up to industry standard and in satisfactory condition; weather deck, engine room and forepeak ladders and/or stair treads are covered with a high traction coating.
Interior: Government required remediation project to remove asbestos and PCB contaminated wiring has resulted in accommodation areas overhead being damaged due to removals of wiring and ducting. This repair has largely been completed.

NOTES

Prior to 2000 subject vessel was maintained by NOAA.
Major hull repairs have not been necessary during this ownership..

HIGHEST & BEST USE
The highest and best use of subject vessel would be to convert it to a super yacht. The next best use would be as an oceanographic exploration vessel or as a midsize cruise ship.

VALUATION METHODOLOGY

Subject vessel is an ex NOAA oceanographic research ship that was retired from service in 2000. Since that time it has been the subject of a remediation project that removed all of the carcigenic material leaving a largely functional vessel that is a good candidate for a super-yacht/expedition conversion.

Replacement Value by Cost
There is adequate information with which to develop a value by cost. First, a similar but smaller vessel was recently constructed for NOAA by V. T. Halter of Gulfport, MS, in their yard at Pascagoula, MS, the M/V “OSCAR DYSON”. The M/V “OSCAR DYSON” is contracted to cost $38-million. When fitted out it will be a fishing
research vessel with a value of about $55-million. We will compare the basic vessel construction of the M/V “OSCAR DYSON” to the former NOAA Vessel M/V “SAHARA”. The M/V “OSCAR DYSON” is 63-m X 15-m X 5.9-m which translates into 206.64-ft X 49.20-ft. X 19.32-ft., or a block of – 196,382-cu ft. The M/V “SAHARA” is 280-ft. X 52-ft. X 28.6-ft. or a block of -cu 390208 ft. From this comparison we immediately see that the M/V “SAHARA” is about 198% larger than the M/V “OSCAR DYSON”. Accordingly we would expect that its new replacement construction cost for a new similar vessel built to US Military specifications would be about $38- million X 1.98 or $75-million.

Value By Market
This is a specialized vessel with a narrow area of utility. As there are no current offerings for vessels of this type, value by market cannot be readily ascertained. However, Interest in a project of this type utilizing subject vessel has been reported on the internet. A shipyard in Jacksonville, FL, USA, has published a completed conversion price for this vessel in the amount of $48-million.
If subject vessel were to be converted to a super-yacht/expedition yacht with its value would be somewhere between 60 to 75% of the replacement cost or $45 to $56-million. The mean thereof being $50.5-million which is
comparable to the Shipyard offering.
Current Market Value
A. New replacement Cost (Gov't Vessel) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $75,000,000