NOAAS Rude

The NOAAS Rude (pronounced "Rudy") is a research vessel which performs inshore hydrographic surveys along the northeast coast of the United States of America. It specializes in locating, positioning and marking submerged hazards to navigation. The Rude is named for Captain Gilbert T. Rude.

The Rude is equipped with a differential global positioning system (DGPS), a multibeam sonar system, and side scan sonar (SSS). She is also equipped for diving operations to allow human investigation of submerged obstacles.

When conducting a survey, Rude tows a side scan sonar and multibeam sonar system, housed in a torpedo-shaped casing called a fish. The SSS provides an acoustical image (a sonogram) of the bottom, up to 150m on either side of the ship. The actual amount of bottom coverage acquired is dependent upon the water depth, tow height and water conditions.

Displacing 220 tons unladen, and measuring 90 feet (30m), the Rude is one of the smaller ships in the NOAA fleet. The Rude carries a 19-foot Boston Whaler used as a diving platform and personnel transport.

Aside from hydrographic surveying, the Rude is called upon to assist the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy in search, rescue, and recovery operations. The Rude located the TWA flight 800 wreckage off of Moriches, NY in 1996, and more recently, located John F. Kennedy Jr's plane wreckage off Martha's Vineyard, MA.