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NOAA SHIP RUDE — MAPPING THE OCEAN FLOOR

August 20, 1999 — Commissioned in 1967, RUDE is one of NOAA's smallest ships. The ship is named after Captain Gilbert T. Rude (pronounced 'roo-dee') of the former Coast and Geodetic Survey, who developed the Rude Star Finder, a navigational device used for locating celestial bodies.

RUDE conducts hydrographic surveys along the Northeast Coast of the U.S. and specializes in locating submerged wrecks and obstructions to navigation. These surveys are used to update the nation's suite of nautical charts. Accurate charts are important to the entire maritime community to prevent marine disasters such as ship groundings and oil spills. These charts are also important for coastal management and for the planning and development of marine sanctuaries.

RUDE is equipped with highly advanced hydrographic and navigation equipment. A pole-mounted SEABAT multibeam sonar acquires a fan-shaped swath of depth data from 40 sounding beams up to 13 times a second. Side-scan sonar generates a map-view image of the seafloor. Differential Global Positioning System receivers use satellite and radio signals to position the ship within 5 meters (17 feet). A CTD (conductivity, temperature, depth) probe determines sound velocity through water to correct depth soundings. RUDE is also fully equipped for SCUBA diving operations to allow physical inspection of submerged obstructions.

To search for underwater obstructions, RUDE uses the side-scan sonar. The side-scan towfish and recorder provide an acoustic image of the sea floor covering a wide swath of up to 300 meters, dependent on water depth. Side scan sonar locates objects over large areas and provides estimated heights of obstructions.

All significant objects located during reconnaissance side-scan surveys are investigated using the multibeam sonar, which gives precise depths and positions over a narrower swath. Ship's divers are used to determine the extent and nature of the hazard. An accurate position and description of the hazard is obtained for charting purposes. Soundings from RUDE's surveys are used for updating the nautical charts.

Three years ago, RUDE's technology was employed to help the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard locate the wreckage from TWA flight 800. Most recently, RUDE was instrumental in the search and location of John F. Kennedy Jr.'s aircraft off Martha's Vineyard, MA.

RUDE normally is at sea from February through November and is homeported in Norfolk, VA.

Office of NOAA Corps
Since NOAA’s beginning, a large percentage of its oceanographic, atmospheric, hydrographic, fisheries and coastal data has been collected on NOAA ships and aircraft. This fleet of platforms is managed and operated by the Office of NOAA Corps Operations, an office made up of civilians and officers of the NOAA Commissioned Corps (a uniformed service of the United States). In addition to research and monitoring activities critical to NOAA’s mission, NOAA ships and aircraft provide immediate response capabilities for unpredictable events, such as recovery and search efforts after the TWA Flight 800 crash, damage assessment after major oil spills such as the Exxon Valdez, Persian Gulf War and New Carissa, and several major hurricanes during the 1998 season.

Rear Admiral Evelyn Fields is the director of the NOAA Corps.

 

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