UMD Large Lakes Observatory

UMD Blue Heron begins Lake Superior buoy research season The University of Minnesota Duluth research vessel Blue Heron is back on Lake Superior as ice clears, deploying buoys that track weather, waves, and water quality. Scientists say the data

Science on Deck 2026 aboard the R/V Blue Heron!

Tours of the research vessel by faculty, staff, students and crew. Free and open to the public from 11am - 3pm with an informative lake presentation by one of our Large Lakes Observatory scientists on the deck at 130pm. Welcome aboard!

*26June - R/V Blue Heron will tie-up at Pier B Resort w/Catherine O'Reilly at 130p
*17July - R/V Blue Heron will tie-up at the DECC harborside near the Great Lakes Aquarium - this one is a special collaboration with the Duluth Public Libraries "Libraries Love Lakes" with guest author appearance
*28August - R/V Blue Heron will tie-up at the DECC harborside near the Great Lakes Aquarium w/Craig Hill at 130p
*18September - R/V Blue Heron will tie-up at the DECC harborside near the Great Lakes Aquarium w/Ted Ozersky at 130p

More interesting information regarding the R/V Blue Heron Ship Goo from Points North.

A Curious Case of Goo After a boat captain notices strange black goo on his ship’s rudder, he scoops some of it into a cup. A few months later, that cup ends up in a lab, where scientists make a surprising discovery.