Megan (ship)

	Megan, one of SpaceX’s two recovery ships, is pictured in the Atlantic Ocean off the Florida coast while awaiting the splashdown of the company’s Crew Dragon spacecraft.
History
United States
Name	Megan (2022–2025); GO Searcher (2014–2022); Harvey Otter (2013); Callais Searcher (2010–2013);
Namesake	Megan McArthur
Owner	Falcon Landing LLC (2022–2025) ; Guice Offshore (2014–2022); Harvey Gulf International Marine (2013); Abdon Callais Offshore (2010–2013);
Operator	SpaceX (2016–2025) ; Guice Offshore (2014–2022); Harvey Gulf International Marine (2013); Abdon Callais Offshore (2010–2013);
Port of registry	Port Canaveral, Florida
Builder	Master Boat Builders, Coden, Alabama
Laid down	2009
Launched	2010
Christened	2025
Completed	2025
Maiden voyage	2010
In service	September 2010
Out of service	June 2025
Identification	Call sign: WDH3015; IMO number: 9591648; MMSI number: 366584000;
Status	Retired
General characteristics
Class & type	Space capsule recovery vessel ; Platform supply vessel;
Tonnage	497 GT; 576 DWT;
Length	52 m (170 ft 7 in)
Beam	11 m (36 ft 1 in)
Draught	3 m (9 ft 10 in)
Depth	3.7 m (12 ft)
Decks	1
Installed power	1,750 hp (1,300 kW)
Propulsion	2 × Caterpillar 3508B
Speed	22 kn (41 km/h; 25 mph)
Capacity	32
Crew	6
Notes

MV Megan, formerly known as MV GO Searcher, was one of SpaceX's two Dragon capsule recovery vessels; it was retired in 2025. Owned by SpaceX through Falcon Landing LLC (which also owns SpaceX's fairing recovery vessels and Elon Musk's private jet), this ship and its sister vessel, MV Shannon, were converted platform supply vessels equipped to retrieve Crew Dragon and Cargo Dragon capsules after splashdown.

When a Dragon capsule was preparing to return to Earth, Megan or Shannon were dispatched to wait near the predetermined landing zone. After splashdown, fast boats deployed from the vessel, approach the capsule to perform safety checks, check on the crew, and prepare it to be lifted aboard the recovery vessel, where the astronauts can exit the capsule. NASA required SpaceX to allow the astronauts to exit within 60 minutes of splashdown.

To support these operations, the vessel was fitted with a specialized crane on the stern to lift the capsule from the water, a medical facility to treat astronauts, and a helipad for rapid transport of astronauts and time-sensitive returned cargo to shore.