Rendering of Marcelle Melosira research vessel

Marcelle Melosira

When it arrives in spring 2023, the University of Vermont's new research vessel Marcelle Melosira will be docked adjacent to the Rubenstein Ecosystem Science Laboratory, where it provides convenient and immediate access to Lake Champlain.

The R/V Marcelle Melosira is staffed with a full-time Captain and Research Vessel Specialist who are experienced in aspects of limnological, geological, and fisheries sampling including: water sampling, plankton sampling, sediment coring, gill netting, bottom and mid-water fish trawling, and hydroacoustic sampling.

Watershed Alliance offers K-12 programs on the R/V Marcelle Melosira which give elementary, middle, and high school students and teachers the opportunity to learn first-hand about the study of limnology and to collect their own data on Lake Champlain with the aid of professional educators and lab research staff.

The R/V Marcelle Melosira is available for charter to groups or individuals for research, education, outreach, or other functions. View our boat usage fees. Please contact Captain Kirstin Collins for more information.

Captain Kirstin Collins
Rubenstein Ecosystem Science Laboratory
University of Vermont
Burlington VT 05401
Email: kirstin.collins@uvm.edu
Phone: 802-488-9863

 

Other Boats

The Rubenstein Ecosystem Science Laboratory also has smaller boats for use on Lake Champlain and surrounding water bodies.

Shiner boat in the water

Shiner

The Shiner is an 18-foot, aluminum Henley runabout with open deck space. The vessel is powered by a 60-hp outboard engine and tiller steering. The Shiner is trailerable, making it a cost-effective platform to perform research operations, sampling, and field work on Lake Champlain.

Researchers in an inflatable boat on lake

Inflatable

The Laboratory also has a 15-foot, 6-person inflatable with 20-hp outboard engine. This boat provides flexibility in sampling Lake Champlain and smaller water bodies with incredible ease and stability and is particularly useful early and late in the field season when boat ramps are frozen.

Float Plans for Field Work Safety

For safety purposes when going out into the field, researchers should complete the appropriate float plan and send to Captain Kirstin Collins (kirstin.collins@uvm.edu) and a contact person.

Follow and engage with the R/V Marcelle Melosira