Press Releases
06/25/2026
MEDIA ADVISORY: DEEP To Unveil New Long Island Sound Research Vessel
(HARTFORD) — On Friday, June 26, 2026, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Katie Dykes will join DEEP staff to help christen a new Research Vessel, the R/V Sound Outlook. The new vessel will be used to monitor and assess the water quality in Long Island Sound. The boat is named for its intended use, to help provide the outlook on the health of our treasured Long Island Sound ecosystem, one of North America’s most biologically diverse estuaries.
DEEP has been collecting year-round water quality information in Long Island Sound since 1991 using the Research Vessel John Dempsey, which is also used for fisheries surveys. Our water quality monitoring work will now be conducted on the new RV Sound Outlook, which is specifically designed for such scientific surveys. The vessel was built by Brix Marine in Port Angeles, Washington. The catamaran style boat has a 44-foot-long, 16-foot-wide aluminum hull.
The Sound Outlook was funded by an award to DEEP by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Long Island Sound Partnership.
Who: DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes, DEEP Staff
What: Press conference announcing New Research Vessel for Water Quality Monitoring in Long Island Sound
When: Friday, June 26th, 10:30 a.m. press conference. Weather permitting, boat ride on L.I. Sound, 11 a.m. -12 p.m.
Where: DEEP Marine District Headquarters, 333 Ferry Road, Old Lyme
- Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
- Facebook: DEEP on Facebook
Contact
DEEP Communications
DEEP.Communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110