On July 14, 2009, the FSV Bell M. Shimada was towed from the VT Halter Marine shipyard in Moss Point, MS, to its sister shipyard in Pascagoula, MS. Here the Shimada began final outfitting of its mechanical and scientific equipment systems in preparation for sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico.
Preliminary sea trials began on July 24th with a test of the Shimada's propulsion and navigation systems in the Gulf of Mexico. The vessel was able to reach the full speed ahead and reverse needed for system calibration, although it suffered a motor dropout glitch and a broken generator connection. Following dry dock hull inspection and the installation of acoustic transducers at the Atlantic Marine Shipyard in Mobile, AL, the Shimada will return to Pascagoula, MS for continued outfitting and further sea trials.
For more information on the FSV Bell M. Shimada, read about the September launch.
