CSE's "Ocean-horse" research vessel

RV Irie is CSE's principal research vessel. This type of vessel - a 22-ft C-Dory - was made famous by the author, William Least Heat Moon, who navigated another 22-ft C-Dory across America. His book, Riverhorse, is a wonderful story of re-exploration of America. We acquired the RV Irie in 2001 after researching vessels that met our unique criteria:

very shallow draft for use in inlets

light tow weight

fully enclosed cabin for electronics

seaworthy in breaking seas

able to accommodate a range of diving and surveying equipment

To date, CSE has logged over 750 hours on the Irie and has used it offshore in Long Island (NY), the Outer Banks (NC), Pamlico Sound (NC), Bogue Banks (NC), Myrtle Beach (SC), Charleston Harbor (SC), and numerous other South Carolina sites. We have not traveled as far afield as Riverhorse, but CSE's Irie has served us well in projects ranging from offshore sand searches to inlet mapping. We have deployed in-situ gauges from the Irie and have completed bathymetric surveys of inlets and inshore zones. It has become CSE's "Oceanhorse."

Philip McKee, CSE's captain and principal, has proven the C-Dory was a great choice for us. Its 75 hp 4-stroke Honda engine is extremely economical which has allowed us to keep our costs down for clients. For more information on C-Dory's check out their website, C-Dory.com.

CSE assists in rescue at sea!

CSE's principal research vessel, the Irie

The Fishing Taxi sinking fast

The Irie's 2-inch pump goes to work

The Coast Guard arrives

CSE helped save the sportfishing vessel, Fishing Taxi, out of Oregon Inlet (NC) on July 7th. ";We were on our way out of the inlet to continue offshore coring for the Town of Nags Head when we heard a mayday," according to Philip McKee, CSE's captain. The ~40-ft Fishing Taxi, with six passengers on board was taking on water and sinking fast. It may have struck an unmarked wreck on the north side of the inlet.

Philip, along with the crew of CSE's RV Irie, were alongside in ten minutes, offering to pump out the vessel with our deck-mounted water pump. By this time, the Fishing Taxi had offloaded its passengers to another charter boat and was under tow toward the main channel. However, without power for its own pumps, water was well over the cockpit flooring. Trey Hair and Doug Dusini, on board Irie, passed over the 60-ft hose and started up our pump. Philip kept Irie alongside Fishing Taxi while the 2-inch pump sucked up about 50 gallons per minute. ";We kept this up for about 15 minutes until the Coast Guard arrived with an even bigger pump."

Around 7:30 a.m., RV Irie left the scene and proceeded to the sand search area off Nags Head. Despite losing an hour during prime conditions for ocean work that day, the crew of the Irie was able to complete the day's tasks. Plus our staff had satisfaction of knowing that Irie and the other boats that assisted in the rescue bought valuable time until the Coast Guard could arrive on the scene.

"What do you think are the chances of being in a sinking boat and having a vessel like the Irie with a water pump and 60-ft hose showing up ten minutes later?" Philip remarked as they left the scene. Trey and Doug said the captain of Fishing Taxi appeared much less stressed by the time Irie left the scene. CSE's 22-ft C-Dory and its crew continue to do extraordinary things in service to fellow boaters as well as clients. Thanks Philip, Trey, and Doug for a job well done!


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