A request is made to fund Shipboard Scientific Support Equipment (SSSE) on R/V Atlantis, a 274’ general purpose research vessel, and R/V Armstrong, a 238’ multidisciplinary vessel. Both are operated by WHOI as part of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet (ARF) which is scheduled by the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS). Both are owned by the U.S. Navy, have state-of-the-art instrumentation and support all disciplines of oceanographic research. The vessels work in all the world’s oceans supporting science funded primarily by U.S government agencies. R/V Atlantis is specifically outfitted for launching and servicing Alvin, the human occupied submersible as well as other vehicles of the National Deep Submergence Facility (NDSF).
In 2020, R/V Atlantis completed 74 days at sea in a season shortened dramatically by the COVID pandemic. NSF funded projects accounted for 95% of the total sailing schedule (70 days). In 2021, Atlantis is scheduled for 146 days with NSF accounting for 100 of those or 68%. R/V Armstrong sailed 178 total days in 2020 and 66 of these, 37%, were for NSF. Additionally, 61 days (34%) were for NSF-OOI. The vessel is scheduled for 217 days in 2021, 9% of which (19 days) are for NSF and 37% (81 days) are for NSF OOI.
With this proposal, WHOI provides technical descriptions and rationale for the acquisition of the following SSSE: 1) Laboratory Infrastructure (Benches, Seating, Cabinets, etc.) $149,261 2) ALVIN LARS Gimbal Frame $88,874 3) KVM System $54,908 4) IP Video Matrix System $110,430 5) (2) -20ºC Cospolich Laboratory Refrigerator-Freezers $13,609 6) (3) General Use Laboratory Computers $16,194 7) Graco Husky Pump for Underway Seawater System $11,992 8) (2) Lithium Battery Containment Units $8,792 $454,060 Broader Impacts The principal impact of the present proposal is under Merit Review Criterion 2 of the Proposal Guidelines (NSF 19-602). 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.
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.
