CORVALLIS, Ore. — Oregon State University has received $88 million from the National Science Foundation to guide construction of a 200-foot research vessel to advance ocean science. The ship is the second of three nearly identical vessels that will modernize the nation’s aging academic research fleet. Gulf Island Shipyards in Louisiana will soon begin constructing the first of the three ships, which will be delivered to OSU in the spring of 2021. OSU officials say the new vessels will help scientists better understand rising sea levels, ocean acidification, declining fisheries, offshore energy and other issues. “The new ships are essential to support near-shore research as the United States and other countries face unprecedented challenges to their coastal waters,” said Roberta Marinelli, dean of Oregon State’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences.