Mr. Gillespie said he raised the money from public contributions and chartered a research vessel from the University of Hawaii for the voyage.

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The nine U.S. Navy ships include three guided missile cruisers, three frigates, an amphibious transport ship, two dock landing ships and a research vessel.

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Another vessel of this type is currently under construction at the Galati Shipyard, as is a smaller, 28 m long Fishery Research Vessel (a Damen FRV 2810), also commissioned by the Angolan Ministry.

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Prince Charles also met with members of the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), winners of this year's Young Fish Frier of the Year competition, and fisheries executives gathered aboard a Scottish marine research vessel moored in Edinburgh's harbor to fry some sustainably sourced Scottish haddock, and discuss how to safeguard the future of a beloved national dish.

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At present, no one can predict a tsunami, but on board the German research vessel Sonne, scientists are installing a system that will give people warning if disaster strikes.

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Dr Rule said there was much research work to be done, including extensive dendrochronology but the vessel would have to be housed in a carefully controlled environment.

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Around midday Friday, the sturdy and ice-strengthened science research vessel, the "Grigory Mikheev, " will depart Kangerlussuaq in Greenland bound for Disko Bay, a location on the west coast that provides some of the starkest examples of the island's melting ice caps.

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