A new research vessel for the the Bermuda Biological Station for Research is expected to arrive on the Island within the next two months to replace the which is now in Norfolk, Virginia and is unlikely to return to the Island.

The has been retired from service and has been put up for sale for $1.5 million.

In the interlude between the leaving and the BBSR's new ship arriving, the station has been able to continue its oceanographic research with the assistance of the 135ft vessel from the Duke University of North Carolina.

The ship arrived in Bermuda on January 27 and has carried out a number of research trips including the ongoing Bermuda Atlantic Time Study, which has been in progress since the 1950s looking at the biogechemical cycles of the sea near Bermuda.

During the past week it has been undergoing maintenance and re-painting at Penno's Wharf in St. George's Harbour before heading out for another short trip and then finally departing the Island on February 20 for its home port of Beaufort in North Carolina.

The ship has been looking at carbon dioxide levels in water, plankton and photosynthesis studies.

In the past the which is part of the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System, has filled in for the while it has been undergoing repairs. It first called on Bermuda in 1981.

The crew is headed by Captain Dale Murphy, with chief mate Robert Daniels, bosun John Nelson, chief steward Bob Lipscomb, AB Steve Disoxn, chief engineer Mark Smith, assistant engineer Mitchell Dixon, seaman Brandon Givetti and electronics technician John Ahern.

The BBSR is not releasing news of its new ship at the present time, but the new research vessel ? which will be larger than the ? is expected to arrive this spring.