Courtesy Photo The RV Steelhead II is seen at the Moran Iron Works facility in Onaway.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Moran Iron Works (MIW) have made more progress on the construction of the R/V Steelhead II, a fisheries research vessel, according to a MIW press release.

MIW states that the vessel is designed to strengthen fisheries research and conservation across Lake Michigan.

On September 22, Captain Patrick O’Neill, DNR project lead, and some of his team toured the vessel at MIW’s Onaway facility, according to the release. The hull has been laid out with all three levels, and the tour offered a first glimpse of the vessel’s scale and layout.

“It was neat to see the full footprint of the project come to life,” O’Neill said in the release. “Walking through where our researchers will stand and run tests gave us a strong sense of how the vessel will function in action. We were all impressed–though there’s still plenty of work to be done before spring.”

According to MIW, R/V Steelhead II is scheduled to begin sea trials next year, with a goal of launching into Lake Charlevoix once the ice clears in spring 2026. The new vessel will replace the aging S/V Steelhead, which has supported the DNR’s fisheries research programs for more than five decades.

O’Neill stated in the release that the DNR and MIW teams meet every two weeks, with architects and engineers conducting milestone site visits, to ensure smooth progress.

“Moran has been a pleasure to work with,” O’Neill said in the release. “They truly want to deliver a vessel that meets our needs, and project manager Tyler James has been outstanding at keeping communication flowing.”

Tyler James, MIW project manager, stated that MIW has progressed past the half-way-point in the vessel build.

“The Michigan DNR continues to be a great partner during this vessel build,” James said in the release. “They continue to be engaged with the project to support the overall vision in providing a superior vessel that supports the research they perform for many years to come. A special thank you to everyone who has participated in the success of this vessel to this stage (MDNR, Superior Boats, Sterling Marine, Gregory Schultz Marine Services, Johnson & Wood, and many others). We look forward to the next half of the vessel build.”

According to MIW, R/V Steelhead II is being constructed with advanced stabilization, modern laboratories, and enhanced safety systems. The vessel represents a long-term investment in Michigan’s natural resources and a commitment to sustainable fisheries management for the next 50 years.