New Research Vessel for Lake Ontario

By Peter Iglinski

Oswego, NY – A new ship will soon be seen making its way around Lake Ontario.

The US Geological Survey's Great Lakes Science Center will be getting two new research vessels--with one of them going to its station at Oswego. The combined cost of the vessels will be $8.2 million.

Station Supervisor Brian Lantry says the ship will be used to assess fish populations in deep water.

Lantry says the entire ecosystem of the Great Lakes has been hurt by contaminants and the exploitation of fish stocks, as well as the presence of non-native species. He says Lake Ontario has been especially harmed since it's the closest to the ocean.

The new research vessel should arrive in September of next year. The two ships are being constructed with federal stimulus money.

The second ship will be going to Sandusky, Ohio.