Research Vessels

Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant maintains a fleet of vessels that are available to support research efforts in coastal Georgia. 

R/V Sea Dawg

The research vessel Sea Dawg is based at the UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium on Skidaway Island. The vessel conducts education, outreach and research operations within Georgia’s inshore waters and offshore out to 20 nautical miles.

The R/V Sea Dawg was built in 1979 by Torres Boatworks in Key West, FL. Originally, the boat was built as a commercial lobster trawler. In 1981, it was acquired by UGA and converted to a marine education and fisheries research vessel.

The R/V Sea Dawg can support 20 passengers plus 2 crew members, for daily inshore trips. Six people can be accommodated for daily offshore operations.  Four people can be accommodated for overnight operations. However, the captain may, at his discretion, set a lower capacity based on the nature of the work that is to be done on board.

Vessel Specifications

Science Specifications

Accommodations

R/V Sea Dawg Research Charter Fees

• Local/In-Port charters are $1,500 per day or portion of a day, up to 10 hours.
• Charters out of the local port of Savannah are $2,000 per day or portion of a day, up to 10 hours.
• An additional charge of $400 per day will be made if other crew (other than Captain) or staff members are required.
• Additional charges may be made if special gear must be used or changed repeatedly
• User is responsible for docking fees and room and board charges for captain and crew if the vessel must be away from home port overnight.
• Additional working hours beyond 10 hours per day may be contracted as available at the rate of $100/hour. However, USCG regulations do not allow one captain to work more than 12 hours in one day.

Scheduling for the R/V Sea Dawg must be done through the Marine Education Center and Aquarium scheduling office and is subject to approval and availability. Contact at mared@uga.edu or call 912.598.2335 for more information.

R/V Georgia Bulldog

The research vessel Georgia Bulldog is based at the UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant office in Brunswick, Georgia. The vessel can conduct research operations in coastal and offshore waters along the East Coast of the United States in state and federal waters.

The R/V Georgia Bulldog was built in 1977 by DESCO in St. Augustine, FL. Originally, the boat was built as a commercial shrimp trawler. In 1980, it was acquired by UGA and converted to a fisheries research vessel.

The R/V Georgia Bulldog can support up to 5 scientific crew for overnight research cruises. We provide an additional three-person boat crew. Day trips are also available.

Vessel Specifications

Science Specifications

Accommodations

R/V Georgia Bulldog Research Charter Fees

Local/In-Port charters are
$1,800/day (10 hours or less)
$2,100/day (10-12 hours)
$2,400/day (12+ hours)

Charters out of the local port of Brunswick are
$2,100/day (10 hours or less)
$2,300/day (10-12 hours)
$2,800/day (12+ hours)

Other Charges
$1,000/day cruise mobilization*
$1,000/day cruise demobilization*
$1,500/day – Running day
$1,000/day – Weather day
$1,000/day – Standby day
$500 for for event dockside outreach

• Additional charges will be added if other staff members are required or if special gear must be used or changed repeatedly.

*Mobilization/demobilization applies to any vessel rigging and provisioning needed to meet specific cruise specifications.

For more information or to schedule the Georgia Bulldog, contact Lisa Gentit at gentit@uga.edu and Bryan Fluech at fluech@uga.edu.

24-foot Carolina Skiffs

Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant has four 24-foot Carolina Skiffs at the UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium on Skidaway Island, each with 140hp Suzuki outboards. Each skiff is outfitted with two 16-foot benches, a bow deck with storage, a center console seat and a bimini for shade. Chartering of the skiffs is limited to a total of six passengers.  Multiple skiffs can be chartered depending on captain availability. Skiffs can be trailered to locations outside of coastal Savannah areas.

24-foot Carolina Skiff Charter Fees

• Local/In-Port charters are $600 per day or portion of a day, up to 8 hrs. with one UGA captain
• Out of local port of Savannah (South of Ossabaw Sound/North of Savannah River): $825 per day or portion of a day, up to 8 hours
• An additional charge of $200 per day will be made if additional crew (other than Captain) are required
• Additional charges may be made if special gear must be used and/or changed repeatedly
• User is responsible for docking fees and room/board charges for captain and crew if the vessel must be away from home port overnight
• Additional working hours beyond 8 hours per day may be contracted as available at the rate of $50/hr.  However, USCG regulations do not allow one captain to work more than 12 hours in one day.
• Chartering of the 24-foot Carolina Skiffs is limited to a total of six passengers. The captain has the discretion to reduce passenger capacity due to operational limitations or COVID policies.

Scheduling for the Carolina Skiffs must be done through the Marine Education Center and Aquarium scheduling office and is subject to approval and availability. Contact at mared@uga.edu or call 912.598.2335 for more information.