Ship-based Science Technical Support in the Arctic (STARC)

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

Investigators

Abstract

The Ship-based Science Technical Support in the Arctic (STARC) Program, is meant to satisfy two main functional requirements: (1) to plan, coordinate and deliver scientific technical support onboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Healy, a polar icebreaker, in a manner that augments the role of the USCG marine science technicians, and (2) to coordinate with NSF, USCG, interagency users, and the academic community to provide for the operation, maintenance and upgrade of science equipment installed or used on Healy. The services provided are based on best practices within the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) tailored to the support needs of Arctic research projects. The USCGC HEALY has a vital role in homeland security and national defense by providing U.S. presence in the seasonally ice-covered waters surrounding Alaska and across the Arctic Ocean. The USCGC HEALY also plays a critical role in the exploration of the Arctic and significantly contributes to the U.S. oceanographic research effort in this remote region of the world, with science capabilities and support provided by STARC technical personnel. The primary objective of STARC is to provide the highest level of shipboard technical support possible to scientists conducting NSF-sponsored and interagency research in Arctic waters onboard USCGC Healy. Long lead time planning is conducted to maintain and upgrade research equipment and contribute to periodic dry dock activities for the vessel. Shipboard data is submitted to US national data centers in a timely manner and made broadly available to the academic community and the public. STARC personnel participate in research planning meetings and coordinate with the USCG and others to prepare for at sea support of the research and mission execution. Coordination with the USCG assures compliance with vessel cyber security standards and the STARC technical support contributes to the collaborative, multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional use of shared research and education infrastructure. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.