This project will provide shipboard scientific support equipment for the BERNIER undergoing conversion to a research vessel to be operated by Columbia University Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory and dedicated to use in support of ocean science research. The Shipboard Scientific Support Equipment Program provides funds for ship equipment deemed essential to the proper and safe conduct of ocean science research. This Program provides support for such items as deck equipment including winch systems for the deployment and retrieval of scientific instruments, navigational equipment such as radars, gyroscopes and earth satellite receivers to pin point the location of research sites, communication equipment including radio transceivers and satellite transceivers for voice and scientific data communications and other equipment such as echo-sounders to interrogate the sea bottom. The Project Directors, Dr. Jeffrey K. Weissel, Dr. Dennis E. Hayes and Dr. William B. F. Ryan are fully qualified to direct this project having had considerable experience in overseeing the acquisition and installation of shipboard equipment. This project will allow the institution to acquire and install a second generation multi-beam echo-sounding system to map the ocean floor with nearly twice the spacial resolution of existing systems installed on U.S academic research ships. This second generation system can furthermore map a swath almost two and a half times as wide. the greater efficiency of the broad swath mapping capability translates into substantial cost savings for research vessel operations.
