From STARDATE MAGAZINE, December, 1984; courtesy of contributor Ed McCarthy
Class design by Forest Brown
K'Kmarak Class VI Research Vessel
NOTES:  These vessels have been named in honor of an earlly Vulcan scientist and explorer.  K’Kmarak vessels carry on in the tradition of their namesake.  All ships in this class are designed for extendend stays and therefore have large living quarters and working areas.
     The K’Kmarak was developed as a research ship only.  It was never intended for combat and only carries its phaser compliment to meet with Starfleet regulations.  No ships in the research an exploration missions ore allowed to travel without minimum weapons.
     When the MK I was first commissioned, the need for a research vessel in the rimward areas of the Federation was greatest.  As each ship in this class was completed, it was sent to this area to aid in the expansion of the territory.  The K’Marak was instrumental in mapping this great expanse of  space and in establishing contact with heretofore unknown races.
     All ships at this type have the most extensive laboratory facilities aboard any Starfleet ship.  They are capable of performing the most intricate of planetary studies and have monitored and recorded several novas.  It was during one of these investigations that a K’Kmarak class vessel the USS T’pool (NCC 24307) was engulfed by a stellar explosion that covered 1,200 AU’s in 20 hours.  Luckily for the Vulcans aboard, their ship was caught up in a solar wind of phenomenal proportions and pushed away from the main thrust of the radiation.  When all had settled, the T’pool was still intact and flightworthy.  The crew however had suffered within a few days.  The ship wandered about for several weeks until it was discovered by the USS Agincourt (NCC 4314) a Larson class destroyer.  The crew were beamed aboard end the T’pool was left adrift with marker beacons on, warning any approaching vessels to stay away.  When ships were dispatched to recover the hull, it was nowhere to be found and has not been seen or heard of since.  All in all, the K’Kmarak class has served its purpose well and is still in service today.  It should be noted that all K’Kmarak class ships are crewed by Vulcans only.