ONAWAY, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – A new DNR research vessel designed for scientific missions on the Great Lakes is currently being built by a Presque Isle County company.

Moran Iron Works is building the 66-foot R/V Steelhead II. It reached her first milestone with the laying of the keel.

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The company said, “Moran Iron Works won the contract to build a new fisheries research boat for the Michigan DNR. We are thrilled to be a part of this new vessel and look forward to seeing it out on the Great Lakes.”

The Steelhead II will come equipped with a lab, netting, and solar panels. The original S/V steelhead was
built in 1968.