Virazon is a 65 foot-long steel hulled vessel.  Originally built as a river vessel in World War II, she has been adapted over the years to serve as INA's research vessel. 

On loan from the US Navy to George Bass and the University of Pennsylvania for use in the excavation at Yassiada, the ship was loaded onto the cargo vessel Ruth Sykes in Galveston Texas and transported to Turkey.   

INA acquired Virazon in 1980.

She has since served as principal research vessel on two decades of surveys as well as on the excavations at Uluburun, Boz Burun, Tektas Burnu, and at Pabuç Burnu. 

Virazon is fitted with diving compressors, a water desalinator, and a double-lock recompression chamber.  Other facilities include a darkroom, crew quarters, a galley and a day room.