Nathaniel B. Palmer (icebreaker)
.
The Nathaniel B. Palmer is a large icebreaker in the service of the US National Science Foundation.[1][2][3][4] It is tasked with extended scientific missions in the Antarctic. The vessel carries a helicopter and about four dozen scientists on expeditions that last for months.
The vessel is named after the first American credited with sighting Antarctica. The vessel was purpose-built for the NSF, and was launched in 1992. But she appears to be chartered, and operated by Raytheon.
In February of 2020 the Nathaniel B. Palmer discovered an island, revealed after a glacier had receded.[5][6]
In 2025 President Donald Trump imposed massive cuts to the budget of the National Science Foundation, and it announced it would have to terminate its lease on the Nathaniel B. Palmer.[7] 172 scientists signed a petition appealing that decision. The Washington Post noted that the NSF had at least one research icebreaker working around Antarctica for the last six decades.[8] However the lease, which had previously been renewed since its 1992 launch, was not renewe in 2026.[9][10]
| Length | 93.9 meters |
| Breadth | 18.3 meters |
| Depth | 9.1 meters |
| Main propulsion | 12,720 hp |
| Bow Thruster | 1400 HP |
| Stern Thruster | 800 HP |
| Endurance | 75 days |
| Crew Complement | 22 |
| Total Complement | 72 |
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "468+R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer". National Science Foundation. Retrieved 2007-08-16.
- ↑ "Raytheon Polar Services Company" (PDF). Raytheon. Retrieved 2007-08-16.
- ↑
"R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer". National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs. National Science Foundation. 2012. Archived from the original on 2013-02-01. Retrieved 2012-12-15.
In 1992, Edison Chouest Offshore Inc., Galliano, Louisiana, built and delivered a 94-meter research ship with icebreaking capability for use by the U.S. Antarctic Program for 10 years or more.
- ↑
"Raytheon Polar Services Company" (PDF). Raytheon Company. 2002. RPS-02-010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-06-30. Retrieved 2015-06-04.
Research vessels: Laurence M. Gould and the Nathaniel B. Palmer
- ↑
Brandon Specktor (2020-02-28). "Melting ice in Antarctica reveals new uncharted island". Live Science. Archived from the original on February 29, 2020-02-29. Retrieved 2020-03-01. Check date values in:
|archivedate=(help) - ↑ Viglione Giuliana (2020-02-21). "New Antarctic island spotted as mammoth glacier retreats". Nature. 578 (501): 501. Bibcode:2020Natur.578..501V. doi:10.1038/d41586-020-00489-4. PMID 32099127.
- ↑
"Coast Guard Vessel Documentation". Vessel Documentation Search. NOAA Office of Science and Technology National Marine Fisheries Service. 2004-06-30. Archived from the original on 2012-12-13. Retrieved 2012-12-15.
Hull Number: 137
- ↑ Kasha Patel (2025-12-11). "U.S. to lose ground in Antarctica after pulling out last research ship, scientists say". Retrieved 2025-12-12.
- ↑
Paul Voosen (July 28, 2025-07-28). "NSF plans abrupt end to lone U.S. Antarctic research icebreaker". Retrieved 2026-01-21. Check date values in:
|date=(help) - ↑ Grace van Deelen (2025-07-29). "Scientists Ask NSF to Keep Only Antarctic Icebreaker Afloat". Retrieved 2026-01-21.