R/V Opah joins KML fleet

New to the KML fleet and named after the large, deep-bodied pelagic ‘moonfish’ (Lampris spp), the R/V Opah (25' Parker) is sister ship to KML's R/V Mola Mola. She sports a center console, semi-V hull, and is powered by a 300hp Yamaha four-stroke engine.

The Opah is equipped with racks for 8 SCUBA cylinders, fresh water rinse down, large dive platform, sturdy dive ladder, and 2 live wells on board.

Capacity: 1692 pounds (captain plus 9 snorkelers or 5 divers with gear)

Cruising speed: 25 knots (20 gph)

Range: 150-gal fuel tank

Coral in situ Metabolism studies at Conch Reef.

 

Students from the IMaGeS Lab at Florida International University (FIU), under Dr. Mauricio Rodriguez-Lanetty, partnered with Dr. Alina Szmant and Dr. Rob Whitehead (University of North Carolina at Wilmington) to use newly developed Coral in situ Metabolism (CISME) instruments.

Divers briefing and preparing gear

Inspecting CISME units ready to deploy

These units will allow scientist to study coral metabolism and health in the reef environment without harming the coral.

Divers selecting a coral head to set up on

The IMaGeS Lab is working with NASA  astronauts this month at the FIU Aquarius Reef Base, Key Largo. Astronauts will be trained in the use of the CISME units for data collection, to simulate training activities for their NEEMO Mission.

Large coral head Orbicella faveolata at Conch Reef