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GRI Marine Operations

The Geosystems Research Institute has a variety of marine vessels and resources designed to assist departments and organizations in conducting coastal/offshore and inshore/riverine research. Our vessel masters have extensive maritime experience, in both research and commercial capacities and can provide diving support services for collection and recovery of samples and materials.

Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USV)

GRI operates two SeaTrac Systems SP-48 uncrewed surface vessels (USV). The SP-48 is a solar powered, large payload capacity platform. This 4.8 meter long, sensor agnostic, autonomous platform is self-righting and operates continuously over long duration missions. The system provides accessory power and onboard computing for real-time data collections and communications. The SP-48 supports a multitude of applications such as hydrography, environmental monitoring, mobile subsea positioning, maritime domain awareness, and metocean and oceanographic data collections.

Current Integrated Sensors for Each Vessel

SN1: SEADAWG
  • AirMar WeatherStation
  • AML Oceanographic
    • pH
    • Conductivity & Temperature
  • SeaBird Scientific
    • SBE 63: Dissolved Oxygen
    • Eco Triplet 1: Chlorophyll, Phycocyanin, Phycoerythrin
    • Eco Triplet 2: Visible Spectrum Backscattering (470nm, 532nm, & 650nm)
    • Eco Triplet 3: Colored Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM), Turbidity (595nm & 700nm)
  • ProOceanus
    • CO2 Pro CV: Carbon Dioxide
  • McLane Research Laboratories
    • Imaging FlowCytobot (IFCB)
SN14: ECHODAWG
  • AirMar WeatherStation
  • Nortek ADCP Signature1000
  • AML Oceanographic
    • pH
    • Conductivity & Temperature
    • Dissolved Oxygen
    • Chlorophyll (A&B)
    • Colored & Fluorescent Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM & fDOM)
    • Pressure
USV Service Rates

Coastal/Offshore

GRI coastal and offshore marine operations are supported by a trailer transportable, 26foot SeaCat SL5 with twin Yamaha 150 Outboards, and an extended range 200-gallon fuel supply. The vessel is equipped with multiple redundant Lowrance navigation systems, sonar and radar sensors, as well as an auto-pilot system for long transect navigation and routing, and VHF/UHF two-way radio systems for communication. It is equipped with all common safety equipment as well as a towing/lifting davit capable of supporting up to 500lbs of towed equipment. Sensors and equipment, we can provide at additional cost include: (Edgetech-CHIRP) Sub-Bottom Profiling Sonar, Gravity Coring Devices, Grab Sampling Devices, and (Starfish) Side-Scan Sonar, YSI Multiparameter water meters, Marine Towed Resistivity and Radon sampling, as well as Towed Oyster Dredges, Micro-Plastics, and Net Trawls. We can also provide diving and diving support services as needed for collection and recovery of samples and materials, with a divemaster and hyperbaric chamber operator/DMT on staff.

Marine Operation Service Rates

Inshore/Riverine

GRI inshore projects are conducted with a fleet of small research vessels comprised of a 20 ft SeaArk with a 150 hp Yamaha, an 18 ft G3 with 50 hp Yamaha, a 16 ft DixieCraft with 40 hp Nissan, a 14 ft Alumacraft with 30 hp Vanguard mud motor, and numerous un-powered Jon boats and kayaks. We can provide GPS units for navigation, Lowrance sonar equipment for bathymetric mapping, sediment core samplers, sediment grab samplers, water grab samplers and pumps, YSI water quality sensors (temperature, pH, conductivity, salinity, nitrate, ammonia, turbidity, chlorophyll A, rhodamine dye, and dissolved oxygen), plant rakes, and secchi disks. We can also provide cameras and data sondes for long term deployment in field sites.

Marine Operation Service Rates

Vessel Masters

Jonathan Harris
Mr. Harris is a master mariner with over 30 years of experience operating along the US Gulf Coast and internationally. He is a marine scientist and holds certificates as divemaster/hyperbaric medic, and chamber operator.

Dr. Gray Turnage
Dr. Turnage has over 25 years of experience operating research and recreational vessels along the US Gulf Coast and in inland water-bodies across the U.S. He is also a subject matter expert in the use of drone technology for natural resource management in aquatic and marine environments.
Paige McCraine
Paige McCraine is a research engineer with extensive experience operating uncrewed systems (both commercial and custom designed). She has experience planning and executing missions including remote piloting, various payload sensor management, and ensuring vessel & data safety in an ever-changing maritime environment.

GRI Marine Operations Contact

Coastal/Inshore

Jonathan Harris
jharris@ngi.msstate.edu
(662) 325-3837

Uncrewed Surface Vessel

Paige McCraine
paige@gri.msstate.edu
(662) 325-8278