The University of Alaska will operate the R/V ALPHA HELIX during 1990 as a general oceanographic vessel in support of NSF-funded research projects. The R/V ALPHA HELIX is a 133'general research vessel constructed 1966. The vessel is owned by the National Science Foundation, and operated by the University of Alaska under a 5-year renewable charter. The ship will operate mainly in the coastal waters of Alaska, Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea. 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. The program recognizes the importance of the R/V ALPHA HELIX to the research fleet because it is the only vessel located in an Arctic region. Great interest has been generated in the Arctic region during the past few years as Global Change became an important issue. Continued operations of a research vessel in the Arctic region is critical, and improvement of our Arctic research capabilities is recommended. Although the R/V ALPHA HELIX has a slight amount of ice strengthening that allows it to operate near ice, the vessel is not capable of true ice operations.
