The Vessel
OGAP SRV Morpheus
Mission
The OGAP Sailing Research Vessel (SRV) Morpheus is designed to be an all-oceans capable mobile genomic sequencing laboratory. Due to plankton and other marine organisms’ fragility, their genetic material can degrade within hours of gathering with a resulting loss important genomic information. An on-station genomic laboratory will allow scientists to gather, classify, document and sequence samples with maximum possible genomic resolution. Such high resolution genomic data is critical for understanding the extensive biodiversity of ocean life and generating a scientifically reliable atlas.
Capabilities & Specifications
The custom-built vessel will house a full genomic and imaging laboratory capable of completing photo and video documentation and conducting genomic sequencing, molecular analysis as well as physiological and developmental tests at any ocean location and storing live and frozen samples (to -80 Celsius). While fitted with auxiliary power, the SRV would be primarily powered by sail allowing for extended all oceans voyages ranges including high latitudes with low carbon emissions and fuel costs.
The vessel is designed for 6-8 vessel and science crew depending on length of passage and sea conditions. Local support vessels will accompany the SRV on near coastal work to expand crew accommodations and increase laboratory output.
Estimated cost of construction and outfitting is $4 million not including laboratory equipment. Construction is expected to take 24-30 months.
OGAP has chosen the KM Yachtbuilders in Makkum, Holland to build the first SRV. KM is widely known for building the most robust expedition sailing vessels in the world. Design will be led by renowned Dykstra Naval Architects who have designed the innovative vessels Maltse Falcon and Rainbow Warrior III.
The laboratory design will be modular allowing for flexibility to onboard new equipment and change or add various capabilities for ocean research beyond just genomic sequencing including medical sampling (i.e., CV19).
Operations & Costs
Today, the high cost of traditional research vessel (RV) operation ($20,000 - $50,000 per day) limits project times and geographic scope and is the single largest impediment large scale marine research. The build and operating costs of OGAP SRVs will be dramatically lower than the current RVs ($2,000- $5,000 per day.)
SRV Morpheus will be sailed by a professional crew. The vessel will have either one permanent captain or a cast of trained captains rotating through season long postings.
Crew will be drawn from a pool of professional boat delivery crews, maritime academies and expedition schools with young crew looking to gain sea time for certifications. Crew will also be selected with the intent that they will help with sampling and laboratory work, particularly wet table separation and classification.
Funding
OGAP aims to partner with a consortium of foundations and institutions to fund the construction of the prototype SRV Morpheus with the aim of building a fleet of a dozen vessels over the next decade and more. As the vessel will be fabricated in Holland, OGAP is exploring targeted European Union subsidies.
Equipment Donation or Lease
Scientific equipment and installation is estimated to be $1 million. Funding would be a combination of equipment leasing, long-term donated use and corporate gifts by equipment manufacturers.
Scientific Grants for Equipment and Crews
OGAP partners and team members have also secured National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation funding of $2 million through 2025 to fund equipment, laboratory team costs and computer data processing costs.
Scientific Charter
The OGAP SRV Morpheus may also be chartered to institutions on a monthly or project-based fee. Today, the high cost of research vessel operation limits project times and geographic scope and is the single largest impediment large scale marine research. Typical charter rates range from $20,000-$50,000 or more per day. SRV Morpheus rates are expected to be between $2,500-$5,000 per day for crew, vessel and operation costs other than laboratory staff and costs. Clients would be universities, research institutions and, potentially, private corporations.
OGAP envisions that the SRV Morpheus will be a template for future vessels to multiply the scope, speed and impact of the project. Additional vessels could be sponsored by corporations and/or institutions along the lines of The Ocean Race and could be billed as a Race for the Genome.
OGAP Volunteer Fleet
Every year thousands of vessels make passage across all the world’s oceans and modern communication, safety equipment and boat technology allow many to visit some of the most remote parts of the world.
Through collaboration with The International Seakeepers Society, the Whitney Laboratory at the University of Florida has coordinated with a number of private vessels over the past five years to gather samples of over 10,000 species of plankton, some 25% which are new to science. While such samples are somewhat degraded compared to immediate onboard sequencing, they yield scientifically valuable information. The scope and low cost of a larger volunteer fleet will also significantly speed up the creation of a global genomic atlas.
OGAP aims to expand this volunteer fleet to potentially several dozen sampling voyages per year. OGAP will provide sampling kits, protocols, online and onboard training and coordinate placement of accompanying scientists from partner institutions.
OGAP will partner with groups such as Seakeepers and Adventure Scientists to coordinate logistics and communication with volunteer vessels.
Additionally, OGAP will contact and recruit vessels through with vessel owner associations (e.g., KM Yachtbuilders, Garcia etc.), sailing associations (e.g. The Ocean Cruising Club), expedition charter companies as well as scientific organizations.
OGAP will also coordinate sampling programs with professional fishing fleets taking advantage of the experience and regional scope of these fleets.
It is envisioned that new protocols and equipment developed on the SRV Morpheus can be migrated over time to the volunteer fleet as advancing technology allows.