AKAC participated in the full scale ice trials of the newly built R/V Sikuliaq, owned by the National Science Foundation and operated by the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. The purpose of the trials was to identify its ability to conduct science missions in ice, as well as to develop operational procedures for conducting independent science missions in ice.

This paper gives an overview of the key design features of the R/V Sikuliaq that enable it to conduct science missions in ice, as well as the observations and results from the full scale trials.

This paper provides real life experience on the operational performance of a state of the art research vessel. The experiences shared in this paper are applicable to a wide range of operations in ice, including station keeping in ice and towing in ice.

Keywords:
ship, science equipment, ice pack, sikuliaq, upstream oil & gas, science mission, azimuth thruster, ice trial, science operation, scientist
Subjects:
Well Operations and Optimization
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2016. Offshore Technology Conference
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