The University of Washington proposes to continue operations of the research vessel Clifford A. Barnes in support NSF-funded scientific research at sea in the year 2005. The ship works primarily in the coastal area of Seattle, including Puget Sound and Lake Washington. This is a five-year cooperative agreement, and funding for the years 2006-2009 will be renegotiated and will depend on the number of days at sea in support of NSF-funded research programs requiring the use of an Oceanographic platform.
Intellectual Merit: The Marine Operations Department of the School of Oceanography of the University of Washington takes pride in providing essential marine science research and educational facilities to NSF-funded investigators. The University of Washington remains committed to managing this facility in a safe, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible manner. The ship operates as a support platform for NSF funded research programs.
Broader Impacts: Oceanographic vessels, operated by the UNOLS academic institutions conducting missions funded by NSF, the U.S. Navy, and NOAA, are essential multi-use facilities required to expand human knowledge of the ocean environment. These ships working from the ocean's surface complemented by human-occupied, robotic and, more recently -- autonomous undersea vehicles and sensors, along with aircraft and satellites, continue to provide vital tools in our understanding of the role of the oceans in determining our climate and in studying and accessing the living and non-living resources of the world's seas and sea-beds.
Provision of this sea-going research and educational facility enables marine scientists from the University of Washington and other institutions nationwide to study natural phenomena and to instruct future scientists and stewards of our marine ecosystems. Essential to our mission is the provision of educational opportunities, both to students of the marine sciences, and, through educational outreach programs. Periodically, The University holds a two day open house and outreach event to provide a learning experience for over 3rd grade through high school senior students including tours through the ship facilities and hands-on demonstrations of marine science research guided by faculty, students and ship crewmembers. The University of Washington, with the support of the National Science Foundation and with coordination by the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System, remains dedicated to, and focused upon, furthering mankind's understanding of the world ocean, the living and non-living resources therein, and their interactions with the approximately fifty percent of our citizens who live within fifty miles of the shoreline
Note: Grant extended by NSF to cover 2010, 2011 and into 2012 in addition to original 5-year period R/V Clifford A. Barnes, a 65-foot Local Class research vessel owned by the National Science Foundation and operated by the University of Washington as part of the University National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) fleet, has operated throughout Puget Sound, around and within the fjords of Vancouver Island, and on Lake Washington during the seven years covered by this grant to further man’s understanding of our oceans. While operating at an average of 82 days per year, R/V Barnes conducted 143 oceanographic research cruises that have been funded by the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Navy, NOAA, and the University of Washington (UW). In doing so, all disciplines of oceanography (biological, chemical and physical oceanography and marine geology and geophysics) and many other fields of science have been served. Numerous research papers, vast quantities of data, informative websites and blogs, and a variety of cruise reports document the far-ranging extent of the successful research conducted onboard R/V Barnes during this period and are available through a variety of public sources. In addition, R/V Barnes has conducted numerous academic cruises taking UW School of Oceanography students to sea. R/V Barnes averaged 10.5 days/year underway directly in support of UW academic programs. In addition, students participated in many of the other science cruises onboard R/V Barnes. The seagoing academic program onboard the Barnes, in direct support to the UW School of Oceanography, enables students to be initiated into the challenging world of ship-based sampling and data collection, further matures their understanding of the oceanographic sciences. The Barnes provides an intimate seagoing platform and oceanographic research environment where students can work side-by-side with instructors in completing hands-on data collection, sampling and specimen recovery that provides a fundamental foundation for future oceanographers to grow their skills. This comprehensive sea-going program, complimented by the rigorous program of classes and projects, provides a robust foundation for UW Oceanography students to develop into world-class oceanographers. Throughout this grant period R/V Clifford A. Barnes has undergone regular comprehensive NSF inspections that help to ensure the vessel, crew, and ship management meet all regulatory requirements and continue to operate in safest manner possible while incorporating maritime industry best practices. These inspections also help to ensure proper maintenance is conducted, established oceanographic research safety practices are followed, and the ship is upgraded regularly to meet the emerging needs of the scientific community. R/V Barnes has been drydocked regularly to enable proper maintenance to take place.
