US research vessel set for West Coast offshore wind projects after diesel engines upgrade

U.S.-headquartered TDI-Brooks is set to upgrade diesel engines on one of its research vessels to ensure compliance with the regulations of the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

The 48-meter-long R/V Brooks McCall is a Jones Act-complaint multi-use vessel said to be suited for various comprehensive site investigation surveys and research duties. It was built by C&G Boat Works in 2000.

“We prioritize environmental concerns because we are dedicated to helping our clients achieve CARB compliance. Attaining CARB compliance will allow us to ensure and uphold healthy air quality, safeguard the public from exposure to air pollutants, and offer innovative solutions for adhering to air pollution laws and regulations,” TDI-Brooks said.

The vessel is U.S. registered with its primary market niches in the Gulf of Mexico and the U.S. East Coast performing analog and digital surveys and geotechnical coring/CPT acquisition. According to TDI-Brooks, its geotechnical capabilities include 40-meter CPT-Stinger and Stinger-Sampler, 20-meter jumbo piston cores, 20-meter Neptune 5,000 CPT, vibra coring and box/grab sampling.

The company plans to deploy Brooks McCall for geotechnical expertise for offshore wind projects along the U.S. West Coast in May/June 2025.

The news came shortly after TDI-Brooks reported it had completed a geotechnical program offshore Türkiye using its research vessel Nautilus.