Ship & Support Equipment | Searcher Hawai'i

MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT

Searcher's main propulsion is provided by twin Caterpillar 3406, 365 hp engines. The mains are air start, provided by twin Ingersoll-Rand T30 air compressors. Twin Cummins 6BT generators are each capable of generating 65 kW single and three phase electricity and can be run individually or synched. A smaller Cummins 4BT is a dedicated engine for hydraulics to run the crane, windlass, and bow thruster. A battery backup is available for electronics, Aqua Air air conditioning units, emergency bilge pump, and firefighting pumps. The Lazarette contains twin steering pumps, two Sea Recovery water makers (rated 1200 gpd each), twin 40 gal water heaters, twin fresh water pumps, a centrifuge for polishing fuel, and a USCG-approved type II Marine sanitation device and black water storage tanks.

deck & Hull Equipment

The flybridge features a spacious, canvas-covered seating area with ample storage and a dedicated BBQ space. The steering station includes throttle, rudder, and bow thruster controls, as well as two 12-person Viking life rafts (port and starboard) and dual automatically deploying EPIRBs.

The boat deck houses three steering stations—port and starboard forward on the Portuguese bridge, and one aft—along with twin Zodiac Mark V tenders (powered by a 60 hp Evinrude E-TEC and a 100 hp Honda VTEC) and an Alaska Marine 3,500 lb extension crane for tender deployment.

On the main deck, the bow windlass supports a 175 lb Bruce anchor with 90 ft of heavy chain and 600 ft of ¾” wire cable. A secondary storm anchor with 30 ft of chain and 300 ft of 1½” three-strand nylon line is also stored on the bow, along with a large parachute sea anchor that can be rigged as needed.

The foredeck includes the fo’c’sle, equipped with two 14 cu. ft. chest freezers, dual air compressors for SCUBA tanks, a washer/dryer, dive and fishing gear storage, a workshop with vise, drill press, and tools, and a 2,000-gallon auxiliary water tank. Additional features include a 1,000 lb manual davit for equipment loading, dive tank storage, and a large gear locker.

The aft deck offers a 5 hp hydraulic capstan, ports for three additional hydraulic devices (on a separate system), hot and cold showers, refrigerator, sink, saltwater wash, air hose, and a hanging locker for fishing gear. The swim platform extends the full beam of the vessel.

Galley EQUIPMENT

The galley is fully outfitted with a full-size True refrigerator with double locking doors, ice maker, trash compactor, twin stainless-steel dishwashers, twin ovens, a five-burner electric cooktop, microwave, and coffee machine. A three-basin sink with disposal allows gray water to be diverted either to storage or directly overboard. Ample cabinetry provides dry storage, complemented by two chest freezers in the fo’c’sle for frozen goods. Additional beverage refrigerators are located in the cockpit, pilothouse, and flybridge.

Accommodations

Searcher features seven fully air-conditioned staterooms. The lower deck includes four guest staterooms, each with a queen bed, foldaway single bunk, ensuite head with shower, TV/DVD player, and small work area. The full-beam master suite offers a king bed, office area, and private ensuite head with shower. On the main deck, two additional staterooms accommodate the captain (queen bed) and crew (two single bunks), sharing a head and shower.

Navigation Systems

Searcher is equipped with comprehensive, professional-grade navigation and monitoring systems. Equipment includes an Automatic Identification System (AIS), HD800 Wesmar searchlight sonar with flatscreen display, Simrad NEO3 multifunction display with Navionics chartplotting and forward-scanning depth finder, and a Raymarine multifunction display for wind and depth data.

Additional systems include a Sailor Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) — required for operations in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands — Furuno 48 nm and 72 nm radars, and a dedicated computer for Inmarsat internet, email, and MAPTECH chartplotting. The vessel also features a Robertson AP20 autopilot, Furuno GPS heading sensor, Furuno DGPS, and Furuno chartplotter.

A secondary manual steering station, single sideband radio, hailer, and closed-circuit camera system provide enhanced operational control and visibility (port, starboard, aft, and boat deck). Safety systems include an Ansul fire detection system, bilge and engine alarms, and a Wesmar active stabilizer system for improved comfort and handling.

Tender Support

With twin Zodiac Mark V tenders, Searcher provides full dive support, equipment deployment and retrieval, and safe transport of personnel and gear to remote or otherwise inaccessible atolls and islands.

Safety Equipment

Life and work at sea demand constant awareness and preparation. Searcher is equipped with comprehensive safety systems to ensure the highest level of protection and readiness.

The vessel features five watertight compartments, active Wesmar stabilization with passive bilge-keel backup, and a parachute-style sea anchor. Emergency communication and tracking are supported by an Iridium handheld satellite phone, Garmin InReach with vessel tracking and messaging, Starlink internet access, and Automatic Identification System (AIS).

Life-saving equipment includes two SOLAS 12-person self-deploying liferafts (one with integral EPIRB), three USCG-approved liferings, and multiple EPIRBs—one automatic on the flybridge and two in the pilothouse. Communication redundancy is provided by two fixed VHF radios and four handheld VHFs for the tenders.

Additional systems include Furuno 72-mile and 48-mile radars with ARPA, a Furuno weather fax, and complete medical response kits with first aid, trauma, oxygen, and AED equipment.

Scientific & Research Equipment

In collaboration with our partners and the local community, RV Searcher offers a wide range of educational and research resources. The vessel can be readily retrofitted for diverse oceanographic and scientific missions. Our capabilities continue to expand as we integrate new technologies to support marine research.

Physical & Chemical Sampling

Surface sampling via saltwater flow-through system
Subsurface sampling with CTD and carousel water sampler with Niskin bottles
Secchi disk for water transparency measurements

Biological Sampling

Neuston net for surface plankton collection
Phytoplankton nets, meter net, and Tucker trawl
Dip nets and onboard microscopes
Fishing gear including 100-gallon live well (cockpit), outriggers/downriggers, and Penn rods and reels

Bathymetric & Geological Sampling

Precision Depth Recorder (PDR) and echo sounder
Gravity corer (available upon request)

Water Quality & Reef Surveys

Flow-through seawater systems for continuous sampling
Snorkel and dive capabilities with full gear and decompression chamber support
Two underwater cameras (one with color monitor)
Two Bauer dive compressors

Winches & Cranes

Hydraulic Alaska 3,500 lb extension crane
1,000 lb bow cargo hoist
50 hp hydraulic winch in cockpit
Ports for two additional hydraulic devices

Computer & Connectivity Equipment

Navionics chart plotter
Dual Furuno radars
Starlink internet connectivity

Additional Equipment

Ice makers, three chest freezers, and one upright freezer
Large swim step with easy cockpit access
Dual Sea Recovery 1,200 gph water makers
Camera safety and security system