Nathaniel B. Palmer (icebreaker)
Encyclopedia
The Nathaniel B. Palmer is an ice-capable
research ship in the service of the U.S.
National Science Foundation
. It is tasked with extended scientific missions in the Antarctic
.
The vessel carries a helicopter and about four dozen scientists on expeditions that last for months.
The vessel is named after Nathaniel Palmer
, the first American credited with sighting Antarctica.
The vessel was purpose-built for the NSF by Edison Chouest Offshore
, and was launched in 1992. Edison Chouest continues to own and operate the Palmer, but it is chartered by the NSF.
Icebreaker
An icebreaker is a special-purpose ship or boat designed to move and navigate through ice-covered waters. Although the term usually refers to ice-breaking ships, it may also refer to smaller vessels .For a ship to be considered an icebreaker, it requires three traits most...
research ship in the service of the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation is a United States government agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. Its medical counterpart is the National Institutes of Health...
. It is tasked with extended scientific missions in the Antarctic
Antarctic
The Antarctic is the region around the Earth's South Pole, opposite the Arctic region around the North Pole. The Antarctic comprises the continent of Antarctica and the ice shelves, waters and island territories in the Southern Ocean situated south of the Antarctic Convergence...
.
The vessel carries a helicopter and about four dozen scientists on expeditions that last for months.
The vessel is named after Nathaniel Palmer
Nathaniel Palmer
Nathaniel Brown Palmer was an American seal hunter, explorer, sailing captain, and ship designer. He was born in Stonington, Connecticut.-Sealing career and Antarctic exploration:...
, the first American credited with sighting Antarctica.
The vessel was purpose-built for the NSF by Edison Chouest Offshore
Edison Chouest Offshore
Started as Edison Chouest Boat Rentals in 1960, the Edison Chouest Offshore family of companies is a marine transportation operation.Based in Galliano, Louisiana, ECO owns and operates a growing fleet of new generation offshore service vessels which support a vast majority of the U.S. Gulf...
, and was launched in 1992. Edison Chouest continues to own and operate the Palmer, but it is chartered by the NSF.