Scripps Institution of Oceanography/West Coast Winch Pool SSSE

University Of California-San Diego Scripps Inst Of Oceanography, La Jolla CA

Investigators

Abstract

The Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego (SIO) requests funds for a needed enhancement to the NSF West Coast Winch Pool. This is considered important in maintaining safety, risk reduction, improved quality of service, and protection of the environment. Specifically, SIO requests funds for a modern magnetometer tow winch for placement in the NSF West Coast Winch Pool. Their current magnetometer tow winch is ancient and no longer compliant with Research Vessel Safety Standards (RVSS). It will be prohibited from use on UNOLS vessels as of the summer of 2016. 1) Magnetometer Winch $118,113 Broader Impacts The principal impact of the present proposal is under Merit Review Criterion 2 of the Proposal Guidelines (NSF 13-589). It provides infrastructure support for scientists to use the vessel and its shared-use instrumentation in support of their NSF-funded oceanographic research projects (which individually undergo separate review by the relevant research program of NSF). The acquisition, maintenance and operation of shared-use instrumentation allows NSF-funded researchers from any US university or lab access to working, calibrated instruments for their research, reducing the cost of that research, and expanding the base of potential researchers.