U.S. Coast Guard Science of Opportunity Cruise Available
USCGC Polar Sea
Seattle, Washington - Kodiak, Alaska - Dutch Harbor, Alaska - Seattle,
Washington
Bering and Chukchi Seas
23 October-1 December 2008
For further information, contact:
Bill Wiseman, National Science Foundation
Email: wwiseman [at] nsf.gov
Or:
Phil McGillivary, United States Coast Guard
Email: philip.a.mcgillivary [at] uscg.mil
A U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Science of Opportunity (SOO) cruise is now
available aboard the USCGC Polar Sea in the Bering and Chukchi Seas, 23
October-1 December 2008.
Science of opportunity (SOO) is defined as follows: During a scheduled
patrol or deployment, the Coast Guard may allow scientists to deploy
with the icebreaker to take advantage of research opportunities on a
not-to-interfere basis with the planned missions. Scientists who deploy
with the vessel are not charged for icebreaker use other than the food
consumed while aboard ship. Participants are responsible for their
transportation to the ship/port of call as well as shipping any of their
required equipment. It is important to note that while science will be
accommodated whenever appropriate, science is not a priority of an SOO
mission, and in fact, there is no guarantee that any science will be
accommodated during these missions. Science-related equipment on Polar
Sea currently under repair and unavailable includes both J-frames and
CTD/rosette; however, equipment can still be put over the side using
cranes. Short-term equipment tests in preparation for other cruises,
meteorological and remote sensing projects are the sort which have been
possible on SOO cruises in the past. Science making use of small boats
and/or helicopters is not offered but may be available at the discretion
of the Captain and mission availability when combined with the primary
mission profile of the patrol.
Highly specific time and geographic requirements cannot be guaranteed.
Arrangements for sample-only requests will be the responsibility of the
investigators. Investigators without sea experience, or who contemplate
sending participants without sea experience, are very strongly urged by
the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) Arctic
Icebreaker Coordinating Committee (AICC) to obtain relevant training and
to discuss plans and recommendations with an experienced participant
well ahead of time. The AICC also very strongly recommends that all
scientists who have programs selected for SOO missions attend a
pre-cruise meeting with the Coast Guard. No other mechanism is as
effective in promoting the communications vital to ensure success.
The Coast Guard and National Science Foundation will jointly select the
participants for SOO cruises. The AICC's role is to facilitate
communication between the scientific community and Coast Guard/National
Science Foundation, including assembling information about potential SOO
investigations and assessing them for suitability. Investigators are
reminded that they may not use submission of an SOO request for AICC
assessment to leverage agency science support.
For further details and/or to apply, please send a short email to the
following two persons indicating research objectives and equipment
needs:
Bill Wiseman, National Science Foundation
Email: wwiseman [at] nsf.gov
And:
Phil McGillivary, United States Coast Guard
Email: philip.a.mcgillivary [at] uscg.mil