She also has an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler with which to collect data on ocean currents and a multibeam sonar system that provides information on the content of the water column and on the type and topography of the seafloor while she is underway, and she can gather hydrographic data at any speed up to 11 knots (20 km/hr). "Henry B. Bigelow" can deploy CTD instruments to measure the electrical conductivity, temperature, and chlorophyll fluorescence of sea water, as well as specialized gear such as Multiple Opening/Closing Net and Environmental Sensing System (MOCNESS) frames, towed vehicles, dredges, and bottom corers, and she can deploy and recover both floating and bottom-moored sensor arrays. While trawling, "Henry B. Bigelow" uses wireless and hard-wired systems to monitor the shape of the trawl net and to work in conjunction with an autotrawl system that sets trawl depth and trawl wire tension and adjusts the net configuration. She has marine mammal and marine bird survey stations. In addition to her crew of 20, "Henry B. Bigelow" can accommodate up to 19 scientists. Officially classified as a "fisheries survey vessel" and with her home port Newport, Rhode Island, "Henry B. Bigelow"s primary mission is to study and monitor marine fisheries in the waters of the United States exclusive economic zone off the United States East Coast from Maine to North Carolina, including the Georges Bank off New England. She also observes weather, sea state, and other environmental conditions, conducts habitat assessments, and surveys marine bird and marine mammal – harbor porpoise, humpback whale, and right whale – populations.