This amazing former US Navy Research Vessel was sold and is working in the Pacific

Owner Dan Stabbert shows his research ship and discusses its capabilities and it suitability for conversion to a world-class expedition yacht.
Year Built 1985/ Refit 2013/2015
Flag United States
Class ABS, Ice Class C
Length (overall) 224 ft. (68.27m)
Breadth 43 ft. (13.1m)
Draft Loaded 15 ft. (4.57m) -
Ship Service Generators (4) Cat 600 KW
Propulsion Motors G.E. DL58X170535
Horsepower - Diesel Electric (2) CAT 850 HP each
Bow Thruster Harbormaster 550 HP
Potable Water 17,000 gal
Water making capacity 3000 gpd
Fuel Consumption, Transit, Survey 1800/gpd @ 75/gph 1400/gpd @45/gph
Cruising Radius 9000 NM
Propellers (2) fixed pitch
Accommodations 30
Staterooms / Heads 26 Stateroom and 17 heads
Hospital 1 with head
Life Preservers 45
A-Frame10,000 lb
J-Frame 4,000 lb.
Main Deck Crane 10 Ton Knuckle Boom
Aux Deck crane (1) MCK 1250 - 4 Ton Hydraulic
More conversion yachts at XplorerYachts,com The Yacht Channel is presented by Paul Madden who is a former shipyard representative for Blohm+Voss, CRN and other yacht builders. He is available to assist qualified yacht buyers and can be reached at [e-mail]
The Yacht Channel is presented by Paul Madden who is a former shipyard representative for Blohm+Voss, CRN and other yacht builders. He is available to assist qualified yacht buyers and can be reached at pm@XplorerYachts,com The Yacht Channel is presented by Paul Madden who is a former shipyard representative for Blohm+Voss, CRN and other yacht builders. He is available to assist qualified yacht buyers and can be reached at [e-mail]

[@tentimes4]

This ship, The Indomitable, was known to me and my fellow NOAA Corps officers as the McArthur II. We did many research cruises on her. NOAA has many of these T-AGOS class vessels. The Ka'imimoana, Hi'ialakai, Oscar Elton Sette, Gordon Gunter, Okeanos Explorer are all NOAA Ships of the T-AGOS Stalwart class. I'm one of few who has sailed on them all. You'd definitely need to pull the engines on this one. I know what they've been through. They are all good ships, but it's difficult for me to see any of these ships as a luxury vessel. Definitely pitchy in heavy seas. You'd need a different motor on the bow thruster. The emergency generators need rebuilds and better positioning on the ship along with muffling. As a research ship, she kicks ass. As a luxury yacht, I have my doubts. Whomever buys her, please keep the Indomitable name. The Navy named her correctly the first time and even though NOAA dimwits continue to think of re-naming these ships, the people who live and work on them never allow the true name to go away.

[@wixom01]

+Jason Masters Very interesting information, Jason, thank you. For those of us who have never been to sea on such a ship, can you tell us what "pitchy in heavy seas" means? Do you mean roll from starboard to port, or roll from bow to stern? Any other information you can provide would be of interest to me, of not to others who are interested in this ship. Thanks!

[@tentimes4]

+wixom01 Ships and planes rotate and move relative to a fixed point due to ocean waves. Typically the five motions include pitch, roll, heave surge and yaw. A good description can be found here --> www.rmrco.com/docs/m1207_ship_movements_at_sea.pdf Pitch is how the bow and stern go up and down. The ship, configured the way it is now, has a max speed of about 9.2 kts. Great for oceanography. In seas above 6 feet steaming ahead, she will pitch more than others with different hull configurations. All of the Stalwart T-AGOS ships are listed here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalwart-class_ocean_surveillance_ship Hope that helps

[@tentimes4]

+Jason Masters If you wanted to convert her to a luxury yacht, you'd want to walk her first. While the ceilings are currently low, we had to run a ridiculous amount of cables everywhere to improve communications, but it was gov't work and could have been done a lot cleaner. So there's room overhead to gain by reconfiguring electrical. Stairways are very steep inside. We used to dream about combining the Captain's cabin, chief engineer's cabin, ship's office and XO stateroom into a Master Suite. For that matter you could take the whole deck below the bridge for the Master Suite. Fuel tanks need better baffles to keep fuel from sloshing around. You'd want to rip out the bridge controls by now. Put dynamic positioning in her. It makes for great fishing without needing to manually control the ship. Contact me if I can help anymore.

[@wixom01]

+Jason Masters Very interesting. Why is this particular ship prone to "pitching", do you know? Is it a flaw in her design? There has to be some reason the government would abandon these vessels in favor of newer "160 million dollar a copy" replacements. I fell in love with the vessel as soon as I watched this video. Of course, it' doesn't matter, I'm only about a million dollars shy of being a millionaire, lol. But I find these ships fascinating.

[@tentimes4]

+wixom01 The cost of maintenance on the engines she has is less beneficial than building a new ship that would be outfitted specifically for the fisheries operations that this ship performed while in service with NOAA. A new ship will last at least 20 years. The cost/benefit ratio favors the new ship. The NAVY mothballed the T-AGOS class because they were submarine hunters and the cold war ended. So, the Navy didn't need them. It's pitchy due to the hull mostly. Too many factors to describe what does and doesn't make a hull pitch more than others.

[@SamEureka]

I served 2+ years on her when she was the Indomitable. Loved seeing her again! Still has the small dent in the bow from when a cruise ship backed into us in the Panama Canal. Good memories... looks like she has gone on to do some amazing things as the DSSV Pressure Drop!

[@ExpeditionYachts]

Thanks for checking in.

[@Canopus68]

Love you comment about the dent. We did one better. I was station on the USS Canopus AS 34. On our way to Scotland, after a yard period, as we came out of the Canal someone gave the order to go ahead instead of astern. We ripped out 100ft of pier with our fender mounts. Sadly she's gone to the breaker.

[@richardjames4090]

who was the Captain when you were on there?

[@kolsen6330]

I was on the crew that built these TAGOS boats at Tacoma Boat Corp in Washington. Still have a couple pages of sshop drawings and blueprints somewhere.

[@MRCruise24]

+the yacht channel i fully agree and excuse me for my reaction, i did not mean it in the bad way. i like the way you display and explain these Yachts.

[@richardjames4090]

I worked as Chief Steward on the Indomitable for three years from 94 to 97. It was my second Ship as a Mariner and to this day it's still one of my favorites. Brought back a lot of memories watching this tour. Thanks for posting it.

[@ExpeditionYachts]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing!

[@dwightjones155]

Thank you so much for that look at such an incredible ship. With such potential. Thanks again.

[@ExpeditionYachts]

Our pleasure!

[@51ghostrecon]

This man is Very Knowledgeable, and did a Great Tour 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@ExpeditionYachts]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@deaconandrewkingtheinspira762]

Beautiful ship. :-)

[@tainuitaylor]

Beautiful vessel

[@chinaman5979]

wow, such enormous potential

[@ronnymabrink1633]

Great video

[@henrycarlson7514]

Interesting , Thank You .Looks very multi mission capable

[@elbertdulworth2379]

WOW ! Amazingly Beautiful I'm hooked ! This is a perfect research vehicle were you can stay working on your programs for months at a time ! The sky is the limit There is nothing you can't do ! I've been a Aerospace Machinest Toolmaker for 42+ years in Arizona and I have worked on many programs for the Miltary Navy and Air Force but I had to retire early due to colon cancer 4 times I really miss working Thank You for Sharing this Amazing Video ! Respectfully Elbert

[@shawnb3101]

Given its 5 million price tag it gives you a lot of room to modify. Comes with its own hospital already in place. Its own massive walk in freezer. Ya some 5 million or so to refit it or less, but then you have a real research or pleasure cruising yacht, or both that can go anywhere. Sponsors and marine researchers would pay top dollar for such a facility to explore and its ice rated. You could even get the US Government to kick in a few bucks...the possibilities would be endless.

[@ExpeditionYachts]

The current owner charters her back to the government frequently, at a profit.

[@yatessmyrna]

Hospitals? We don't need no Hospitals.

[@ExpeditionYachts]

Actually, it’s required over a certain number of crew. And with Covid- it can be an isolation ward.

[@foivosapostolos1211]

Excellent design

[@seachaser]

Enjoyed the enthusiasm in your presentation, sir.

[@ExpeditionYachts]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jamwhenever]

Yes please

[@josephkordinak1591]

I sailed on the stalwart class boats. They are tough, spent three days taking 30 to 40 degree rolls. Floating gas cans, they use like 500 gallons a day just putting around. The Navy was giving them away after the Tagos missions stopped. Slow as hell. They do 12 knots full speed. First thing to do with them is trash the quiet screws and replace them with regular screws. They were talking about scrapping them on the ship i was on they figured they could get 15 with standard screws. It wouldn't be my first choice for a conversion.

[@normandong4479]

This is an impressive ship. If modified right, would make a great yacht for travel and exploring. You have to think of its strength and redundancy, which almost current yacht builders do not build. And this hull is ice rated. Impressive indeed.

[@JeffAM1986]

Turn this beauty into a mini “Titanic” style wise. I love some new things explorer yachts that are adopting a more robust industrial look.

[@seekersofrhythm]

This would be my vessel if the funds where in. Someone is going to be a very happy post auction. The potential is huge.

[@lunamaria1048]

I'll take the 2 year $75 bi-weekly plan

[@coltonreeves6893]

This is a Stalwart-class ship, we have a converted one here at the maritime academy that I'm a cadet at. Not sure where the claim that they're great, seaworthy ships comes from. They're stable, yes, but they're very top-heavy if it's under loaded and ours handles like shit in any significant amount of wind, even with our giant bow thruster. And I'm not even sure if the bow thruster was original or not.

[@darinmorris8600]

Could be you were running just enough fuel for a couple of days which would make it top heavy and effect the handling.

[@stephenconcannon4124]

That ship is awesome! Would love to find a smaller one with similar specs. I will have to keep my eyes open. My father went to a boat show many many years ago told me about a tugboat that was re-purposed. From then on I was fucked on boots.

[@MRREE-zw6xc]

I just seen one of these in San Diego and boy they are pretty big in person. I believe it was Dagon from Marshall Islands.

[@ExpeditionYachts]

Sloth- all boats of this vintage will have some asbestos in the stacks. It is sealed and the government does not deem it to be hazardous. But a new owner will have to survey the vessel and be sure there are no issues. Tis vessel is in class and ready to go to sea. The Navy build these ships to a far higher standard than yachts are built to.

[@timhale4540]

I thought the ship was built in 1985. If I remember correctly, it was in the mid-70s that we stopped using asbestos in ships. Of course a survey would be done by any owner and that would ascertain whether it was installed or not.

[@geraldroberts5462]

The Yacht Channel The Yacht Channel The Yacht Channel The Yacht Channel The Yacht Channel The Yacht Channel The Yacht Channel w

[@Dog.soldier1950]

The Yacht Channel I was a QA engineer on her at Tacoma Boat when built. No asbestos used in construction

[@williammathis2787]

Now the Pressure Drop

[@Arrogan28]

The issue is the number of crew/cost of running a vehicle like this. Usually if you can't afford the price tag of a boat that big and are looking for a insane deal, then you can't afford to run her properly afterwards. I mean it likely costs what $300,000.00 just to fill her up. then the crew must be what 15+ at least, minimum for that size of vessel. Then you need to do painting, upkeep, cleaning, pull out for hull mantainance, etc. I mean if you run ship this size it will likely cost several million a year just to keep her up to date. If you keep her like this then it is much cheaper, but as soon as you tried to put teak on, beautiful interiors, all that need cleaning, and upkeep. Then new engines. So unless you have a way to make money off it guaranteed, i think like any vessel get ready to lose alot of money investing in it... If you want a research vessel for $5 million, get a much smaller boat with better toys built in, and advanced helm setup, etc. Go half the size, and be way easier to keep up...

[@hmausfr]

Interesting. Where is it today? What's it named and what was the selling price?

[@rongreen8485]

5 million that's a bargain for that ship, Tacoma Boat built some of the best ships in the world back in the day.

[@010bobby]

Nice presentation... i wish i have the money to buy and convert this ship to a world cruiser...

[@p9a9r21]

Great video of a very interesting retrofit opportunity where the backbone of the project is straight and strong. Someone asked why would the U.S. Government spend $160MM on building new ships when a complete retrofit of this lady could be accomplished for a far smaller amount. Two reasons come to mind, first federal government spends more money on purchasing new than retrofit / refurbishing and there is more subcontractor opportunities not to mention those pesky but very lucrative "cost overruns". Second, most decision makers in Washington DC don't bat an eye at spending $160MM when $25MM - $35MM would get you 92% - 95% of comparable functionality of a new ship. After all it isn't THEIR money now is it?

[@OhTheGeekness]

They spend the money because some congressman needed to create jobs in his district during an election year and maybe a shipbuilder contributed to his campaign funds.

[@eaerick]

I found her she’s is now called DSSV Pressure Drop, it has a KZbin channel called Caladan Oceanic

[@edwardcook5129]

I wouldn't convert it! I love it! it's a gigantic toy!

[@user-ey2io5of2d]

What did it sell for?

[@OhTheGeekness]

He says it has a quarter million gallon fuel capacity and that it burns 1800 per day. It is listed as a 9000 nm range at 11 knots. At 11 knots you go 264 nautical miles per day. So 9000nm would take 34 days. 34x1800=61,2000 gallons. I realize that this is an oversimplification but the difference between a quarter million and 61,200 is a pretty big margin of error.

[@ianmain8470]

listed as 9000nm radius (not range)...so more like 18k nm range

[@yukeshvs9856]

06600110 engine always run even ship is not moving

[@Masters_Yukesh]

@@yukeshvs9856 this is my old account

[@samanthapowell5882]

Is there any more of these left to buy and convert?

[@ExpeditionYachts]

Probably. They are working but open to offers.

[@Dog.soldier1950]

If tacoma boat built I worked on her. Built to ABS standard

[@rongreen8485]

Tacoma Boat, Martinac, Modutec, Nordland boat builders. Best built ships in the world.

[@jmyers9853]

there is no such thing as a "minor conversion". i worked on two conversions and it takes a LOT of money and paperwork to convert from govt. to civilian or commercial use. the USCG, ABS or other class organizations and insurance companies will almost prevent it from being done. ships and boats built to govt. specifications are awful to convert because they are not built to civilian specifications. Govt can and does build any way it wants, commercial construction has different construction requirements to comply with.

[@JeffAM1986]

Would be better to convert this to like a mini Luxury charter cruise ship type design. Make it like a small personal cruise vacation ship.

[@assetstopurchase8432]

This is tempting, but the Alucia, at $17 million, would do for me.

[@dtbetter2277]

Perfect Zombie Floating Bunker!!

[@Itsaboutthewaterlife]

Totally great idea.

[@thom5255]

Has it sold yet!!

[@ExpeditionYachts]

Years ago...

[@francescodellamorte9788]

still for sale at 3,600,000 and that's the money it costs to operate it one year

[@ExpeditionYachts]

Not true. But any vessel of this size is expensive to operate. And replacement cost is over $100 million. No civilian built "expedition yachts" can get close to the specs and performance of these US Navy vessels.

[@francescodellamorte9788]

The Yacht Channel yes true about the price, and for sure the navy can (or could) afford the best, they are funded by taxpayers

[@stephenfoley9445]

I want to buy it for my Doomsday prepping so when the world goes nuts i am heading off in my boat :)

[@MRCruise24]

the audio in this is crappy to say the least, but information wise very interesting. thanks!

[@ExpeditionYachts]

+michielribbens Shot on a Canon Vixia with a Canon Bluetooth mike. Dan has a great voice for video but we always are shooting in places with lots of background noise and terrible spaces that are all metal. Overall, I think this is the best way to get a feel for what a vessel is- compared to still pictures and technical writing.

[@OhTheGeekness]

Audio was fine. This isn't cinema it is information.

[@Andy_M986]

Looks like it was made in the early 20th century the way the metal panels are showing.

[@rwech]

1985

[@alistairmills7608]

Did it sell ?

[@ExpeditionYachts]

Yes. It is in commercial service.

[@michaelchamberlain4618]

What's going to cost for that ship

[@ExpeditionYachts]

It was sold some years ago. Probably in $5m range.

[@HDWRIGHT409]

3.6 million and put at least I'd say 10 million in her and you would have a nice ship all in for say 20 million.

[@ExpeditionYachts]

And a new yacht of that size would cost in the range of $35 million and would take another year, or more, to deliver.

[@HDWRIGHT409]

That may be true but it's still going to take a year or more to get this one fixed up also.

[@ExpeditionYachts]

True.

[@lydiaanderson3312]

@Hello David, How are you doing?

[@lucchau06]

how much for sale

[@ExpeditionYachts]

$5 million

[@lunamaria1048]

Did this ever sell?

[@ExpeditionYachts]

Yes. It went back into commercial service.

[@lunamaria1048]

@@ExpeditionYachts I was hoping to see her become a beautiful expedition yacht conversion. Thanks for the reply!

[@ExpeditionYachts]

Me too!@@lunamaria1048

[@Nick-xh2lq]

How much is it

[@erikarneberg11]

If you’re the United States government, then this was your ship, and you should know! ; )

[@lottodreamer7480]

I would love to know what Dan means when he said..... you could build a lot of great spaces without spending a lot of money. And their listing on yacht world they have a drawing of Ocean Rover after refit. Caption says..... this is a very practical, economical conversion of this vessel. I have a feeling that my......... without spending a lot of money, and economical conversion....... is a lot different then the yachting, ship conversion community.

[@mikeminer9697]

I think he is more talking about getting a us joiner company involved just to place some bulk heads and interior in for a quick modification. I could see it costing a few million depending on where you have it done. I have a few friends who do interior refit of large boats like this it can be done for not a ton of money

[@wingding028]

i wonder how much it is

[@wixom01]

+wingding028 Asking price is $4,800,000. So, you could probably pick it up for a bit more than $4,000,000. But the conversion cost would be astronomical! Millions and millions of dollars more, not to mention crew costs, fuel costs, berthing costs, and on and on. This is a hobby for the mega wealthy.

[@michaelorourke2208]

+wixom01 I have a 300 foot yacht. But this one is not a luxury mega yacht like mine it's a research vessel. This is not for luxury cruising to the bahamas. This would be a huge project to convert. Ally he equipment would be put to waste which is upsetting

[@PARABOLA1966]

+wixom01 The Donald, for sure. This would be change for someone like him...

[@wila4134]

And you can survive a NBC attack due to its Ventilation design. Not that I would recommend testing that spec.

[@777jones]

so it would cost like what, 50 million to set up... hmm.... but where will I keep all my tigers and leopards...

[@ronolin8448]

No problem. They'll eat you.

[@Lindholmer5k]

If i had the money....

[@patrick35400]

...You lose it... A kind of trap

[@lesterpittenger5992]

Potable not portable. Real ship guy.

[@13SharkBait]

...and we'd just put Narnia here, ooh and Wakanda over there...

[@Random-rt5ec]

Joe Biden "Lets Go Brandon" has diesel fuel pegged at around $5.00/gal. If this awesome ship burns 1800 gallons/day then we are talking $9,000/day just for fuel. I’d love to be in this income category (the .o1%) & best of luck to whomever purchases this beauty.

[@exexpat11]

Around 1200 to 1800. Slow at 8 to 12 knots. Rides well in medium waves.

[@jamesolivar8018]

6hg

[@yunassaxer7119]

😂😉🙃😊

[@DveromanKievUaMassive]

С 4773

[@lynandhenrymeyerding3392]

I just do not understand wanting to convert a good working exploration vessel that is tough and low maintenance and jazz it up with a whole bunch of luxury crap and glitz to try and make it look like a Carnival cruise ship. Who wants to live and work in something that looks like it was decorated to look like a Las Vegas casino. Garish, conspicuous consumption and something you'd have to redo every decade. Junk. An expedition ship should be built and outfitted for purpose. It should not be for fair weather sailing only. If you're cruising somewhere 2300 nm from the nearest port and something breaks, you ought to have the facilities onboard to make a new one. If you're going to diving, you ought to be able to rebuild all your equipment. The ship should be kitted out functionally for people who know what they're doing, not made over into a hollywood movie set with seventeen big screens on the bridge. I imagine the guy doing the walk through here would want to put a full bar after of the bridge... so convenient. Seriously.

[@ExpeditionYachts]

Amen.

[@tictac-nscale]

Looks like a spy ship.

[@ExpeditionYachts]

Many have said they were dual-purpose in that regard. That would also explain why they are so silent and vibration-free.

[@josephkordinak1591]

They built them to tow sonar arrays to track Russian subs in the 80's. Quietest things the navy had after subs. Even at full speed they barely made a wake. Granted full speed was 12 knots.