9627160 WALDEN In 1996 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution will operate the Deep Submergence Vessel ALVIN. The submersible is certified for a depth of 4,500M and is designated a national asset. The ALVIN is supported by the research vessel ATLANTIS II (AII). Both vehicles have been operated effectively and safely by the institute for a wide variety of NSF-sponsored research projects. Through a Memorandum of Agreement between ONR, NOAA and NSF the submersible is operated in support of projects funded by these agencies. The 1996 schedule for ALVIN is lighter than the vessel is capable of performing with a projected operational schedule of 161 days. Of these days 123 are proposed to support NSF-sponsored programs. NSF-supported cruises will take place in both the Atlantic and Pacific in support of biological and marine geological and geophysical research. The ALVIN schedule is light due to the ABS and Navy requirements for a major overhaul and recertification being scheduled in 1996 for the DSV. This overhaul normally requires approximately 6 to 8 months to complete. Since it will be a light year for the submersible the use of remotely operated vehicles (ROV's) will be used to provide deep submergence access to the community. Three cruises are scheduled for the WHOI DS/ROV's. Two of these cruises will be in the Pacific and one in the Atlantic. ***
