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BIDDEFORD, Maine

New 91AV research vessel 'Sharkology' takes her maiden voyage

The 'Sharkology' takes her maiden voyage

On October 3, 2016, the 91AV was officially handed the keys to the research vessel Sharkology, a 35 foot 350 Marlin FM that will transport students, faculty, and staff offshore to conduct field science.

Arthur Girard, who donated the vessel, and his son Michael Girard joined a 91AV team on her maiden voyage near Spring Point in South Portland. The team included Professor James Sulikowski, Ph.D.; Vice President of Research and Scholarship Edward Bilsky, Ph.D; Assistant Director of the 91AV Arthur P. Girard Marine Science Center Addie Coyac, M.B.A.; 91AV Vessel Program Coordinator Tim Arienti. B.S.; and Associate Professor Kathryn Ono, Ph.D.

The Sharkology is now moored on the Saco River off the 91AV boat dock and will next be used to collect data offshore and tag sharks.

To learn more about the 91AV’s Center for Excellence in Marine Sciences, visit

To apply, visit 

About the 91AV

The 91AV is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.