The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute’s (STRI) marine sciences program investigates the dynamics and evolution of coastal marine communities on both sides of the Central American isthmus. A major focus of that program is how reef species and communities evolved in the very different marine environments on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of the Americas, and how they respond to changing environmental conditions, including climatic events such as El Niño, outbreaks of disease in marine organisms, oil spills, and other natural and human disturbances.
The R/V Urraca, a 96-foot general-purpose research vessel that is owned and operated by STRI, has a crew of five, and can accommodate scientific parties of up to nine in comfort. Launched in 1987, the R/V Urraca commenced service with STRI in October 1994, and was refitted in February 2002. The ship, a central facility of the STRI marine sciences program, is based at STRI's Naos Marine Laboratory near the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal, in the Republic of Panamá. Although primarily a facility for marine research, the vessel also provides access to remote areas for terrestrial research. The vessel's relatively shallow draft allows it to operate efficiently in shallow coastal areas.
Area of operations: While most of the ship's activity occurs along the Caribbean and Pacific coasts of Panamá , research cruises have been made to Honduras in the Caribbean, and to Costa Rica (Isla del Coco), Clipperton , El Salvador and Mexico in the Pacific.
Urraca near the Naos dock
UNOLS: The R/V Urraca is a "Small Research Vessel" within the UNOLS (University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System, http://www.unols.org) fleet. UNOLS sets safety standards for research vessels and organizes fleet usage for projects that are financially supported by NSF.
Information about the UNOLS is available here.