The University of Southern California will support shipboard technician activities associated with the R/V VICKERS, a 220-foot research vessel that is owned and operated by the University. USC has been converting the VICKERS to a research vessel from a tuna clipper over the past five years. Nearly all of the ship's operating schedule during 1991 is in support of NSF- sponsored research projects. Some extra effort will go into setting up new scientific equipment and getting the ship ready to do science. The Shipboard Technician Program has two components: an at-sea component and an ashore component. The at-sea component consists of instructing scientific personnel in the use of shared shipboard equipment; maintenance, repair, and calibration of scientific instrumentation; instruction and supervision of deck operations; and providing logistics assistance to on-coming and off-going scientific parties. On shore activities include the maintenance, repair, and calibration of shared use seagoing equipment and assisting scientific personnel in preparing for field work on the vessel. Shipboard technicians funded by this award have broad responsibilities for providing the coordination and assistance needed for the successful completion of research projects at sea. The level of activity and amount of support are closely related to the size and capability of the vessel, and its scientific outfit and capability.
