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R/V Point Lobos Today |
History
The R/V Point Lobos began life in 1981 as the Lolita Chouest, an oil-field supply vessel working in the Gulf of Mexico. The ship was purchased by MBARI in 1987. Early in 1988 the vessel arrived in Monterey Bay from the Gulf of Mexico after a transit through the Panama Canal. The Point Lobos then underwent a major conversion from work boat to oceanographic research vessel. The changes include removal of the sleeping quarters, installation of the ROV and science control room, installation of deck cranes and handling equipment, installation of a science lab, installation of a machine shop below deck, and hydraulic system upgrades.
Lolita Chouest
The process is ongoing; the R/V Point Lobos is a working vessel constantly being upgraded and modified. As of Spring, 2005, the R/V Point Lobos has executed over 2,800 missions. These missions have included almost 2,700 ROV dives and time-series CTD casts.
More information about the R/V Point Lobos