Scripps Institution of Oceanography's R/V New Horizon is named in memory of the R/V Horizon which launched the institution's major expeditions. R/V Horizon operated first off California, and then in the world oceans, from 1949 to 1969. New Horizon's design originated in a study made in 1965 by the late Maxwell Silverman, research engineer at Scripps, and Prof. J. R. (Randy) Paulling, Jr., of the Department of Naval Architecture at the University of California, Berkeley. They tested modifications of the hull form of then-standard mass- produced Gulf Coast work boats, to find one that would be more suitable for oceanographic work, but still inexpensive to build. Silverman then took one of these hull modifications, and developed specifications for a new class of research ships to replace the aging R/V Horizon and other converted ships used in oceanographic research. This study culminated in a set of ship plans, labeled "NEW HORIZON", which were submitted to the National Science Foundation in conceptual form in September, 1966, and later worked out in greater detail. These plans included many innovative features such as use of a shallow-draft broad-beam workboat hull with house forward with modifications of hull form for better "sea-kindliness", careful design to keep the admeasured tonnage below 300 tons, provision of standardized bolt-down fittings at 2-foot spacing on deck and within lab spaces, provision for "portability" of deck equipment, and use of standard ISO vans for additional lab spaces, living spaces, explosives magazines, and deck equipment. These "NEW HORIZON" plans inspired federal planning and funding of the class of "intermediate" research ships built over the following decade, even though that ship itself was never built. The plans influenced the design of nearly every oceanographic ship built since that time.

The first of the new class of "Intermediate" ships was the R/V Columbus Iselin, designed by the late Rudolph F. Matzer, and built for the University of Miami with NSF funding. The plans for R/V Columbus Iselin were in turn used later by Matzer as the basis for the design of a new ship for Scripps. The name New Horizon was therefore chosen not only to commemorate the old R/V Horizon but also the landmark "NEW HORIZON" design study, and the "new horizons" being opened by studies of the oceans.

The contract to build New Horizon was awarded to Atlantic Marine, Inc., of Fort George Island, Florida in 1977. The $4 million ship was completed on October 24, 1978 in time to join the Scripps fleet during the year of the institution's 75th anniversary. New Horizon was dedicated on January 25, 1979 at her home berth at Nimitz Marine Facility in San Diego. Most of the funding for construction was provided by the State of California, which is by far the most significant contribution from any state for the construction of an oceanographic research vessel.

Much of the support for New Horizon's operations is provided by the State of California. This is because her primary mission is to support work done by Scripps' Marine Life Research Group, which participates in the California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI), a program for fisheries and environmental studies of the California Current.

New Horizon is capable of multi-disciplinary programs in any part of the ocean except the polar seas, but operates primarily in the eastern North Pacific Ocean. A large proportion of her cruises take place offshore of California and Baja California. She is able to engage in all fields of oceanographic research and is known for her flexibility in design, ability to keep station precisely, and rapid turn-around capability. R/V New Horizon is a UNOLS (University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System) vessel, conforming to UNOLS safety and operating standards. Use of the ship is available to qualified investigators from any institution.

(The above information comes from the R/V New Horizon Handbook.)