Shipboard Scientific Support Equipment Enhancements 2009

University Of Washington, Seattle WA

Investigators

Abstract

ABSTRACT 07 July 2009 Proposal Number: 0943524 Institution: University of Washington PI: W. Wilcock This proposal will be awarded using funds made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). The proposal requests numerous Shipboard Scientific Support (SSSE) items for the vessels operated by the University of Washington; namely the R/V THOMPSON and BARNES. The requests specifically include items that have been recommended from past NSF inspections, Navy INSURV's, or Post-Cruise Assessments (PCA's) and have been otherwise deferred by the operators due to cost. All of the items requested will either improve safety, enhance science support capability, or extend vessel service life. Due to the nature and timing of these requests, the vendor quotation standards normally required by the SSSE Program were waived out of necessity with many of the figures provided as estimates for budgetary purposes and based mainly on past experience of the vessel operators for similar work. Broader Impacts: The University of Washington vessels support federally funded scientific research throughout the world's oceans to expand human knowledge of the ocean environment. During operations, the vessels routinely expose graduate and undergraduate students to seagoing oceanography through the Teachers at Sea program, real-time satellite connectivity from ship to shore, and University open house events. All told, the THOMPSON and BARNES are scheduled to complete over 260 NSF sponsored days in 2009.