Our Fleet
The Robert B. Annis Water Resources Institute of Grand Valley State University operates two research and education vessels, the D.J. Angus and the W. G. Jackson. The normal operating season for the vessels is mid-April to mid-October. The vessels are designed for research and educational activities, with group sizes of up to 26 participants on the D. J. Angus and 28 participants on the W. G. Jackson.
The vessels are floating aquatic science laboratories that are primarily used to support the AWRI Outreach Education Program, but they are available for research as well. They are equipped for hands-on water quality studies by aquatic researchers, colleges and universities, general public, and fourth through twelfth grade classes. Home port of the W. G. Jackson is Muskegon, Michigan, and the D.J. Angus docks in Grand Haven, Michigan.
The vessels are United States Coast Guard inspected. All captains are licensed. Please note as per 33 CFR 104.265 (f) (2) (3), all persons/baggage/objects boarding the vessels are subject to security inspection. Failure to give consent or refuse screening shall result in denied access to the vessel. No weapons or backpacks are allowed onboard.
Scientific equipment on the vessels