The Ocean Survey Vessel (OSV) Bold is EPA’s only ocean and coastal monitoring vessel. The Bold is equipped with state-of-the-art sampling, mapping, and analysis equipment including sidescan sonar, underwater video, water sampling instruments, and sediment sampling devices, which scientists can use in various monitoring activities. The vessel is a converted Navy T-AGOS class vessel and is 224 feet long and 43 feet wide. EPA acquired the Bold on March 31, 2004.

EPA recognizes that accurate and timely data collection and analysis along our coasts will help us take actions necessary to keep our nation’s coastal and ocean waters healthy.

• EPA’s Ocean Survey Vessel Bold – EPA Office of Water page on the OSV Bold.
• OSV Schedule – OSV Bold events and survey operations from the EPA Office of Water.
• OSV Bold Fact Sheet (2005) – A summary of the Bold’s mission and capabilities.
• OSV Bold History – The Bold was launched as a Naval vessel in 1989 and in 2005 was converted to ocean survey work for EPA.

The OSV Bold is the former Navy vessel, United States Naval Ship (USNS) Bold. Constructed by the Tacoma Boat Building Company of Tacoma, Washington, as a Tactical Auxiliary General Ocean Survey (T-AGOS) vessel, the ship was first commissioned in 1989 as the USNS Vigorous. The vessel was later renamed the USNS Bold and has served on many surveillance missions. The Navy decommissioned the USNS Bold in 2004, and then transferred the vessel to EPA. EPA converted the vessel to an Ocean Survey Vessel to replace EPA’s aging OSV Peter W. Anderson.