Stevens’ Davidson Laboratory acquires new research vessel

HOBOKEN , N.J. — Stevens Institute of Technology’s Davidson Laboratory has acquired a new research vessel, R/V Savitsky, named after Dr. Daniel Savitsky, Consultant/Professor Emeritus at Davidson Laboratory. “The research vessel is one of the first vessels seen that is specifically outfitted for work in the New York Harbor ,” said Professor Michael Bruno, Director of the Center for Maritime Systems and Davidson Laboratory. The primary research area of interest stretches from the George Washington Bridge , south to Sandy Hook and west to the Passaic River . The R/V Savitsky contains the equipment necessary to conduct research throughout the entire harbor.

The vessel’s name acknowledges Dr. Savitsky’s numerous contributions to Stevens and Davidson Laboratory. Dr. Savitsky has been associated with Stevens for approximately 60 years and has authored dozens of research papers about the hydrodynamics of marine craft “It felt great to let Dr. Savitsky know that there will be a permanent recognition of his contributions to the lab,” said Bruno.

“It was a complete surprise when Professor Bruno told me about this honor,” said Savitsky. “Many of my results have been based on data collected for boat models tested in the Davidson Laboratory towing tanks. Having my name on a full-scale research vessel that can also be used for basic hydrodynamic studies is most satisfying,” he said.

The R/V Savitsky contains a 2,000-pound hydraulic A-Frame and a full suite of electronic navigation and communications instrumentation. The vessel has a large working deck, which makes it stable in rough seas, and has the speed necessary to move quickly from one measurement point to another. Taken together, these attributes make her a perfect vessel to perform the type of research the lab conducts in the New York Harbor . The RV Savitsky will take measurements that include the physical characteristics (such as currents, salinity and temperature) and the water quality characteristics (such as dissolved oxygen) throughout the harbor.

“The vessel can also benefit those students interested in naval architecture. The full scale vessel can provide data that will be used to verify the students’ analytical predictions of stability, powering, maneuvering, and sea-keeping. In a sense, the vessel’s on water performance will demonstrate the validity of their class room conclusions,” explained Savitsky. “I wish the RV Savitsky at least as many years of productive research as I have been fortunate to have experienced at Stevens.”

The research vessel will be in use in late July.

About Stevens Institute of Technology

Founded in 1870 and celebrating 140 Years of Innovation, Stevens Institute of Technology, The Innovation University, is one of the leading technological universities in the world dedicated to learning and research. Through its broad-based curricula, nurturing of creative inventiveness, and cross disciplinary research, the Institute is at the forefront of global challenges in engineering, science, and technology management. Partnerships and collaboration between, and among, business, industry, government and other universities contribute to the enriched environment of the Institute. A new model for technology commercialization in academe, known as Technogenesis®, involves external partners in launching business enterprises to create broad opportunities and shared value.

Stevens offers baccalaureates, master’s and doctoral degrees in engineering, science, computer science and management, in addition to a baccalaureate degree in the humanities and liberal arts, and in business and technology. The university has a total enrollment of 2,234 undergraduate and 3,700 graduate students with more than 400 faculty. Stevens’ graduate programs have attracted international participation from China, India, Southeast Asia, Europe and Latin America. Additional information may be obtained from its web page at www.stevens.edu.

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