The proposal was submitted to the ship operations program requesting funds to carry out 163 operational days in 2012 aboard the R/V Thomas G. Thompson in support of NSF peer-reviewed sea-going programs. The projected 2012 total number of funded days from all agencies is 277 days, of which 267 days will be days at sea. R/V Thompson will be operating in the Western Pacific off the Mariana Trench and Forearc for two consecutive MG & G programs, one utilizing the deep-towed sonar system (IMI-120) and a second operating in conjunction with R/V Marcus Langseth for an OBS active and passive source seismic project. Since submission of this proposal, R/V Thompson was able to divert their transit between Apra, Guam and San Diego into Honolulu in order to accommodate two stranded NSF projects. These cruises had previously been scheduled on R/V Kilo Moana but following a significant hull compromise a rapid response was required in order to support the cruises within the original project scope. The first cruise for Julian Sachs will conduct a marine diatom experiment. The second cruise for Zackary Johnson, represents a two day add-on to the transit where he plans to collect biological sampling ahead of his 2013 cruises. R/V Thompson will work south of San Diego in the Oxygen Deficient Waters off the Eastern Tropical North Pacific for Allan Devol. This cruise has a UW student component, where the University has contributed 12 days of institutional funds to augment the cruise. The second half of 2012, R/V Thompson will be operating in the Pacific Northwest, in and out of home port supporting NSF work for Cascadia, ODP hydrogeology of Juan De Fuca using borehole network and Jason, CORKS and development of a high speed optical communication system.
Broader Impacts: Oceanographic vessels, operated by the UNOLS academic institutions and funded by NSF, and other agencies, have been the traditional 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. Proper stewardship over ocean resources and their wise use, and decision making for future ocean- and coastal- related issues are inconceivable without an interested and engaged citizenry: In addition to technology, our national ocean endeavor requires technical support in the form of expert human resources, with sound science, mathematics and technical education: a critical mass of individuals who will collect and analyze tomorrow's data, and design the tools, models and applications we will require. Provision of these sea-going research and educational facilities enables marine scientists and students from the University of Washington and other institutions nationwide to study natural phenomena and to instruct the future scientists and stewards of our marine ecosystems on board state-of-the-art oceanographic research vessels complete with laboratories, sensors, analytical equipment, communications to shore-side investigators and educators, and full life support for extended missions. Essential to our mission is the provision of educational opportunities both to students of the marine sciences, and, through educational outreach programs such as REVEL, Teacher at Sea, to K through 12th grade students, nationwide. Periodically, The University held open houses and outreach events to provide a learning experience for local students including tours through the ship facilities and hands-on demonstrations of marine science research guided by faculty, students and ships? crewmembers. In 2011, the School of Oceanography hosted the International Research Ship Operators conference at UW. During the conference, participants enjoyed the opportunity to tour and ride onboard for a lunch cruise from the Seattle waterfront, through the Ballard Locks, to the Oceanography Dock. 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.
