The University of Alaska Fairbanks realized a dream over the weekend, with the launch of a new Arctic research vessel. The 261-foot Sikuliaq splashed into a river feeding Lake Michigan in Marinette, Wisconsin Saturday. The $200 million vessel project is largely supported by federal economic stimulus funding. The ship is owned by the National Science Foundation and will be operated by UAF. The launch culminated decades of planning and advocacy by the university.
Video courtesy of the United States Arctic Research Commission
Dan Bross is a reporter at KUAC in Fairbanks.