EPA Ocean Survey Vessel Debuts In New York Open To Public For First Time Ever

Wednesday, November 2, 2005, NEW YORK -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) welcomed its new Ocean Survey Vessel, the OSV BOLD, as it made its first ever appearance in New York today. EPA’s 224-foot research flagship is docked at the South Street Seaport and will be open to the public. The ship came straight from the waters of the Gulf, where it assessed water quality in support of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Public officials and members of the press were greeted by Alan J. Steinberg, EPA Regional Administrator, and received guided tours from EPA scientists of the ship and its equipment.

“We are delighted to welcome the OSV BOLD and its crew to the waters of EPA’s region 2. During her stay here she will conduct critically important sampling and surveillance for the region,” said Alan J. Steinberg, EPA Regional Administrator. “The OSV BOLD is an example of EPA’s technological leadership in environmental protection and research. This is a great opportunity for the public to get a look at how we protect the ocean and coastal waters.”

The vessel will be open to the general public on Thursday, November 3 from 9 am to 5 pm. The OSV BOLD is equipped with state-of-the-art sampling, mapping, and analysis equipment including side scan sonar, underwater video, water sampling instruments, and sediment sampling devices, which scientists use in various monitoring activities. The vessel is a converted U.S. Navy T-AGOS class vessel and is 224 feet long and 43 feet wide. EPA acquired the OSC BOLD on March 31, 2004. The ship and its crew collect water quality and sediment samples, fish, and other organisms. EPA divers working off the OSV BOLD monitor coral reefs, and other sensitive habitats for impacts from pollution. The OSV BOLD operates in the waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean.

During its tour of duty in the area, the OSV BOLD will assist the New York/New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program (HEP) by working with the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to take water samples to assess how contaminants, such as dioxins and PCBs, move through the New York Harbor complex.

During its hurricane Katrina efforts, the OSV BOLD served as a floating laboratory providing a vehicle for shared testing and analysis in the Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Borgne, the Mississippi Sound, and the Gulf of Mexico. The science teams collected samples using the OSV BOLD at inshore and coastal locations. These water, sediment, and fish tissue samples are being analyzed for a variety of pathogens and pollutants.

Contact Information

Mary Mears

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Contact via E-mail