University of Maryland Research Fleet Operations 142 Charles Street, Solomons, MD 20688

The University of Maryland Research Fleet Operations, located at 142 Charles Street in Solomons, Maryland, is an essential component of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science's coastal research programs. The Research Fleet provides scientists with access to the Chesapeake Bay, its tributaries, and the coastal Atlantic Ocean for various research projects.

The R/V Rachel Carson, the flagship vessel of the UMCES fleet, was launched in November 2008. This 81-foot vessel is equipped to support a wide range of estuarine and near-coastal oceanographic research activities, including dredging, trawling, coring, water quality observations, plankton sampling, and buoy deployment. The Carson's shallow draft, speed, maneuverability, and versatility make it ideal for conducting research in estuarine and near-coastal environments.

For more information about the University of Maryland Research Fleet Operations, contact the University Administration at 2020 Horns Point Road in Cambridge, MD.