Johns Hopkins University, Cheaspeake Bay Institute will operate the R/V RIDGELY WARFIELD during 1990 as a general oceanographic vessel in support of NSF-funded research projects. The R/V RIDGELY WARFIELD is a 106' general research vessel owned by the National Science Foundation. This vessel is part of a fleet used by the National Science Foundation to support oceanographic research projects. Most oceanographic research projects require highly specialized equipment and extensive support from a ship's crew members. An increasing number of research projects require equipment that must be permanently installed on a ship and for which the ship must be specifically designed. Such equipment also requires highly trained crew members for maintenance and operation. These vessels do not operate in the same manner as general cargo or fishing vessels, and therefore, NSF supports the operation of a variety of vessels specifically dedicated to oceanographic research. These vessels are operated by universities and research institutions around the country. R/V R. WARFIELD is a capable platform for these operations. Constructed by JHU in 1967, this vessel's shallow draft and twin hull design are well suited for its principal area of operations in the Chesapeake Bay. The marine operations staff at JHU are fully capable of meeting the requirements of this proposal. The program considers it important to continue the operations of the R/V R. WARFIELD because it is the only research vessel based in the Chesapeake Bay and because of its highly cost-effective operation. The ship supports many cruises of short duration that would be much more expensive to support and difficult to schedule using any other vessel in the fleet.
