Special construction features required by oceanographic research ships are described in this paper. They are grouped into categories relating to the following: atmosphere, surface, mid-water, bottom, subbottom, and general. Other overall construction features which assist the ships in their performance in the foregoing activity fields are also described. These features are position fixing, position holding and control, operations control center, stability, open deck, antiroll tank, oceanographic laboratory, data acquisition system, and electric power generation. The new Coast and Geodetic Survey Ships Oceanographer and Discoverer are used as the basis for discussion. A technical description of each of the ships is given in the Appendix.
