Great Lakes Shipyard has been awarded a contract for the United States Environmental Protection Agency R/V LAKE EXPLORER II. The research vessel was hauled out using the 770-ton capacity Marine Travelift at Great Lakes Shipyard. The repair contract that started on August 14, 2014 includes Drydocking, Routine Repairs & Maintenance, Upgrades, and Design, Fabrication & Installation of a New Bulbous Bow.

The 90-foot research vessel has been stationed in its homeport of Duluth, Minnesota since 2009, and is the newest addition to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s fleet on the Great Lakes.

The R/V LAKE EXPLORER II is used for Great Lakes research, and specializes in developing a comprehensive environmental assessment of coastal conditions. This research is conducted using cutting-edge technologies for sampling aquatic life, water quality and sediments, including state-of-the-art in situ environmental sensing systems.