Vessels Center The vessels center maintains and operates a fleet of 40 vessels. In 2007, the 74 foot R/V Pelican was converted into a research vessel from a navy surplus landing craft. With a 17’x 24’ working deck, she utilizes a 18,000 lbs lifting capacity crane and 4 hydraulic winches. The R/V Pelican has accommodations for ten overnight. The 65-foot R/V Bay Eagle is outfitted with a wet lab containing a flow-through seawater system, a dry lab housing electronics, and project- oriented equipment. The R/V Bay Eagle also has Loran interface for downloading information to on board computers. The 29-foot R/V Fish Hawk was especially designed and equipped to perform trawl surveys. A sizeable trailerable fleet supports estuarine and tributary research. Electronic systems can be transferred to these smaller boats, enabling precise scientific surveys to be conducted on board. The diving facility includes a diver training room and classrooms to support the 40-member VIMS dive team. The VIMS diving program is an organizational member of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences. View a movie of the R/V Bay Eagle underway (requires QuickTime or similar movie viewer, 1Mb file may take a few minutes to load).

CONTACT FOR ALL VESSELS ACTIVITIES: Sharon Miller   (804) 684-7055 FAX:  (804) 684-7195 See vessel rental rates here. Schedule a Vessel using these forms trailerable vessels large vessels cancel a reservation by sending email

CALENDARS Large Vessels Garveys Large Privateers Small Privateers Jon Boats Others R/V Bay Eagle Elis Olsson R/V Fish Hawk R/V Pelican Heron Osprey Egret Gannet Plover (prev. Pelican) Teal Sandpiper Seagull Widgeon Grebe Mallard Marsh Hen Phalarope Rail Ruff Bittern Jaeger Loon Moray Petrel Scoter Shearwater Skimmer Skua Cormorant all boats this month all boats today

• Read this checklist to make sure that all safety procedures are being followed.
• Request for Safety Assessment of non-VIMS Vessels
• Vessels Operation, Training and Safety Policy (or download the zip file here)
After you have reviewed this policy, click here to send email notification to the Vessels department.
• Liability Release Form
• Trailerable Vessel Float Plan must be completed prior to departure.

VIMS employees must receive certification from the Vessels Service Center before operating either a small boat or a tow vehicle.  Contact Sharon Miller to obtain these certifications.  Qualified operators are listed below:

• Certified Operators of Small Boats
• Certified Operators of Tow Vehicles
• Vessel Operator Safety Certifications