Skidaway Institute of Oceanography (University of Georgia) proposes to support technical services on R/V Savannah, a 92? general purpose UNOLS research vessel operated as part of the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System research fleet. They will provide a technician on most cruises to maintain and assist scientists in the use of shared-use instrumentation at sea. The technical services group will maintain, calibrate and provide for qualified users items from their pool of shared-use research instrumentation. The budget in this proposal is for the first year of a 3-year continuing grant.
The R/V Savannah is a 92-foot coastal research vessel, which was delivered to the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography from Washburn and Doughty shipbuilders in September 2001. This ship is a most capable platform for conducting oceanographic research and education activities in the continental shelf, estuarine, and riverine environments of the Southeastern U.S. The primary use of the ship to date has been to support federally funded research. During the period of this award (2009-2011), the vessel supported 323 days of research cruises. Typical research projects included those to examine factors that influence the rates of benthic primary production in the South Atlantic Bight, to assess microbial and zooplankton diversity and productivity in environments ranging from coastal estuaries to the Gulf Stream, to examine biogeochemical dynamics, to support fisheries research, and to support a variety of educational programs, including a graduate education program for coastal ocean-science and engineering. All of the aforementioned projects were federally funded. The deck space, a large hydraulic A-frame, which maximizes the cable bend radius necessary to deploy acoustic packages, and generally quiet vessel operations make this vessel ideal for these kinds of projects. An important aspect of the R/V Savannah is the presence of a marine technician, who provides technical assistance and advice concerning the ship’s instrumentation and sampling devices. This project funded the Oceanographic Technical Services for NSF-funded research aboard the R/V Savannah, from May 2009-April 2012. Activities supported through this program are primarily technical support for NSF funded research projects. The Marine Technician, John Bichy, is responsible for repair and maintenance of all electronic equipment on board the R/V Savannah as well as shared use electronic and mechanical equipment. He assists scientists with at-sea operation of scientific equipment, maintains and operates the Scientific Computer System, and helps with other electronic equipment on the ship to ensure a safe and productive cruise. Mr. Bichy reports directly to the Superintendent of Marine Operations. During the three-year project period, many improvements were made to the ship’s instrumentation, electronics, and sampling devices. The Marine Technician inspected and maintained these devices and assured all sensors were kept in calibration. The R/V Savannah continues to have a high return rate on Post–Cruise Assessments, with very good to excellent service reports on nearly all trips. When issues do surface, the Marine Technician and the crew work together, with support from Skidaway Institute Engineering and Facilities groups, to find and implement a workable solution. The combination of a diligent crew and positive attitude accounts for much of the encouraging feedback we receive. In addition, annual NSF funds allow for the proper maintenance and service required to run a first class research vessel. Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts Over 80% of the projects supported by the Savannah are federally funded. These projects, which are competitively awarded to scientists around the region, cover a wide range of disciplines, from biology to physics. A significant proportion of cruises aboard the R/V Savannah are utilized for educational purposes. For the project period, approximately 20% of the cruises were educationally based, demonstrating oceanographic methodologies to college undergraduate and graduate students, grade school teacher groups, and visiting international students and/or scientists. The joint (Skidaway Institute of Oceanography and Georgia Tech-Savannah) graduate program in coastal science and engineering began in 2008 and continued through the end of the award period (Sanders/Work, GEO 0807387). In addition, research and training cruises were carried out throughout the award period to support projects held jointly with Savannah State University. These programs and others continue Skidaway Institute of Oceanography’s collaborations with minority serving institutions. To better inform and educate the public about advances in ocean sciences the R/V Savannah was open at least once per year for public guided tours. Over 2,000 people toured the vessel during each annual open house conducted during the award period.
