USM Coastal Community Celebrates Annual Point Sur Day

Thu, 03/30/2023 - 03:31pm | By: Van Arnold

For the past eight years, members of the Coastal USM community have raised a toast on March 29 to a little-known holiday: Point Sur Day. This special day commemorates the anniversary of the heralded research vessel’s arrival at the Port of Gulfport.

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) purchased R/V Point Sur from San Jose State University with a $1 million grant provided by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. After a long journey down the California coast, through the Panama Canal and north to the Gulf Coast, the vessel docked on Sunday, March 29, 2015.

USM placed the ship into service to study the vast ocean habitats of the Gulf and support the development of technology to accelerate Mississippi’s blue economy. Since the first Point Sur Day, thousands of scientists, students, and educators have sailed on the ship. 

Point Sur Captain Nicholas Allen was at the helm when the ship first sailed into Gulfport. Allen reflected on the previous eight years as he and his crew ship sailed out of the port on a scientific expedition the evening of Point Sur Day earlier this month.

“Being Captain of this ship has given me a front row seat to the innovation of scientists at USM and across the nation,” said Allen. “It has been fun to work side by side with a diverse community spanning industry, government and academia.”

The 135-foot ship accommodates 16 researchers and technicians and a crew of eight, while housing a 1,110-square-foot deck that includes a primary and wet laboratory. Point Sur has supported discoveries of shipwrecks, launched new autonomous research systems, sensors, and platforms, while also providing an opportunity for the first, and only, sighting of a giant squid in U.S. waters.

“Since R/V Point Sur joined USM’s research vessel fleet, it has helped meet the growing need for research in the northern Gulf of Mexico,” said Dr. Leila Hamdan, Associate Vice President Research, USM Coastal Operations. “Demand for the ship is very high, due to the expertise at USM, our research infrastructure along the coast, and the skill and dedication of the crew who opens doors to discovery for a diverse community of scientists. When USM students cross the brow of the ship, they take an important step towards vibrant careers.” 

To learn more about the R/V Point Sur, visit their website.