The Research Vessel Seward Johnson is a 204 ft. steel vessel that was built in 1984 as a dedicated oceanographic vessel for submerible support. It carries 11 ships crew, 2 marine technicians, 8 submersible crew, and up to 20 scientists. A large hydraulic a-frame on the aft deck is used to launch and recover the submersible. An additional a-frame on the starboard side is used to deploy cabled equipment over the side. A hydraulic crane can be used for launching small boats from the ship. Large compressors are used to fill scuba tanks and to charge air cylinders on the submersible. Scientists work in a wet lab, where specimens are sorted, a dry lab where scientific equipment is used, and a walk-in cold room where animals may be maintained in tanks at deep-sea temperatures. The ship has workshops, a galley, a small gym, and a lounge. E-mail and internet access is available by satellite.