Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute

Small Boats

Contact BML Marine Operations, (707) 875-1922

The Bodega Marine Laboratory's fleet of small vessels is as varied as the conditions we use them in: from kayaks for paddling the calm inner harbors and esteros, to inflatables and other dive boats suited for Bodega and Tomales Bays, to a 20-foot, comprehensively-equipped, center-console workboat, The Cape Horn, that gets students and researchers up or down the coast in a hurry.

More information on small boat operation at BML

The R/V Mussel Point

Contact BML Marine Operations, (707) 875-1922

The 42 foot research vessel Mussel Point is a unique solution to a complicated problem: how to get students and researchers up and down and off our rugged northern California coast with exceptional safety, comfort and economy. The 42-foot Mussel Point, a remarkably fast, stable and maneuverable vessel answers this need ideally.

Powered by twin turbo diesel engines and jet drives in combination with a unique planning hull; her top speed in settled conditions approaches 30 kts. The jet drives and shallow draft permit work closer inshore than a comparably sized displacement hull. A solid foam “sponson” collar serves multiple functions: from a self-fendering system for coming alongside other vessels or moored instruments, to a lateral stabilizer to keep the boat from rocking too severely in a seaway. The sponson, though not necessary to the stability of the hull, adds 14,000 lbs of buoyancy in the event of a catastrophic occurrence at sea.

Our boat is comprehensively equipped with marine electronics and communications, oceanographic instrumentation, and computing system where underway data acquisition can be observed. The back deck is outfitted with a hydraulic A-frame and winch spooled with 600 M conducting cable, and the transom is hydraulically raised and lowered for personnel and equipment deployment and recovery. It is designed to be SCUBA diver friendly, convertible and appropriate for diverse research efforts.