There have been great efforts by NSF and the Ocean Leadership Alliance to keep the SODV project moving forward, despite severe cost pressures. Purchase of new science equipment is nearly complete, refurbishment of some existing equipment continues, and land based testing and integration has begun. Many of ship and drilling service life extension projects have been completed and others are continuing. The drilling equipment including derrick were removed from the ship to be refurbished for reinstallation. A conversion contract for construction and integration of the improved science facility has been awarded to a Singapore shipyard with operations to begin again in November 2008.

Shipyard Photos:

The substantive progress made to date may be best communicated through pictures, not words. Links to a few images taken by members of the SODV team are provided below.

Progress Slide Show (MS PowerPoint)
Truster Re-Installation Sequence (MS PowerPoint)

Work Performed in Winter 2008:
Bridge Construction

Work Performed in Fall 2007:
Bridge and Deckhouse Module Installation
Offices and Core Lab Module Installation
Fo'c's'le Deck Module Installation (Labs)
Main Deck Steelwork
Bridge and Deckhouse Construction
Laboratories and Office Construction

Work Performed in Summer 2007:
Drydocking Commenced
Weatherdeck Upgraded
Labs Protected
Instruments Received
Galley Demolished
Forward Interior Exposed
Primer Applied
Blasting/Painting Performed
Undercoat Applied
Thrusters Cleaned
Thruster Well Painted
Work at Batam Commenced
Batam 3-D Structures Erected
Stbd Prop Reinstalled
Painting Completed
Initial Drydocking Concluded

Work Performed in Spring 2007:
Derrick Removal
Peak Tank Inspection
Lab Equipment Stripped
Lab Demolition
Lab Stack Removal
New Steel Structural Parts
Deckhouse Cut Off
Deckhouse Lifted
Deckhouse Removed

Monthly Status Reports
Mar 2008 (pdf 200 KB)
Feb 2008 (pdf 236 KB)
Jan 2008 (pdf 220 KB)
Dec 2007 (pdf 240 KB)
Nov 2007 (pdf 252 KB)
Oct 2007 (pdf 276 KB)
Sept 2007 (pdf 264 KB)
Aug 2007 (pdf 223 KB)
Jul 2007 (pdf 220 KB)
Jun 2007 (pdf 236 KB)
May 2007 (pdf 212 KB)
Apr 2007 (pdf 200 KB)
Mar 2007 (pdf 189 KB)
Feb 2007 (pdf 175 KB)
Jan 2007 (pdf 175 KB)
Dev 2006 (pdf 175 KB)
Nov 2006 (pdf 175 KB)
Oct 2006 (pdf 175 KB)
Sept 2006 (pdf 175 KB)
Aug 2006 (pdf 175 KB)
July 2006 (pdf 175 KB)
June 2006 (pdf 201 KB)
May 2006 (pdf 162 KB)
April 2006 (pdf 170 KB)
March 2006 (pdf 153 KB)
February 2006 (pdf 138 KB)
January 2006 (pdf 133 KB)
December 2005 (pdf 116 KB)
November 2005 (pdf 98 KB)
October 2005 (pdf 103 KB)
September 2005 (pdf 98 KB)
August 2005 (pdf 71 KB)
July 2005 (pdf 58 KB)
June 2005 (pdf 52 KB)
May 2005 (pdf 77 KB)