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U.S. Federal Academic Research Fleet Renewal Activities

U.S. Federal Academic Research Fleet Renewal Activities. Dolly Dieter National Science Foundation 4201 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22230 USA edieter@nsf.gov www.nsf.gov. Federal Academic Research Fleet Renewal Plan 2000 - 2020. Global Ships ($70 M). Seismic. Ocean Ships ($50 M).

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U.S. Federal Academic Research Fleet Renewal Activities

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  1. U.S. Federal Academic Research Fleet Renewal Activities Dolly Dieter National Science Foundation 4201 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22230 USA edieter@nsf.gov www.nsf.gov

  2. Federal Academic Research Fleet Renewal Plan 2000 - 2020 Global Ships($70 M) Seismic Ocean Ships($50 M) Pacific Atlantic NW Pacific SW Pacific Kilo Moana ARRV SE Atlantic NE Atlantic Regional Ships($25 M) Pacific Atlantic/Gulf Gulf of Mexico Atlantic 2005 2010 2000 2015 2020 = proposed for NSF acquisition = Constructed = proposed by Navy = Potential Additional Ships (UNOLS Recommended)

  3. Federal Academic Research Fleet Renewal Plan 2000 - 2020 Global Ships($70 M) Seismic Ocean Ships($50 M) Pacific Atlantic NW Pacific SW Pacific Kilo Moana ARRV SE Atlantic NE Atlantic Regional Ships($25 M) Atlantic/Gulf Gulf of Mexico Pacific Atlantic 2005 2010 2000 2015 2020 = NSF MREFC Funds = NSF OCE R&RA Funds = Navy Constructed = Navy funds not yet Identified = Potential Additional Ships (UNOLS Recommended)

  4. Federal Academic Research Fleet (>130 feet) Global Ships R/V Atlantis R/V Knorr R/V Melville R/V Ewing R/V Thompson R/V Revelle Intermediate Ships R/V Wecoma R/V S. Johnson R/V Oceanus R/V Kilo Moana R/V New Horizon R/V Gyre R/V S. Johnson II R/V Endeavor Regional Ships R/V Pt. Sur R/V Cape Hatteras R/V Alpha Helix 1970 1980 1960 1990 2000 = Private/Other Funds = NSF Funds = Navy Funds

  5. Project Construction and Funding

  6. Alaska Region Research Vessel • Highest priority in federal fleet renewal plan • Replacement for the R/V Alpha Helix, 38 year old, less capable vessel • Ice-strengthened ARRV would operate in the challenging seasonal ice covered Alaskan waters, expanding current capabilities for oceanographic research in the region • Approved by the National Science Board as an MREFC project in August 2003 and is currently planned for inclusion in FY2006 budget ARRV R/V Alpha Helix

  7. Progress since FOFC Report • ARRV • NSF has supported design effort and has approved MREFC funding for vessel in a future budget

  8. Regional Class Ships • Plan calls for three Regional Class ships over a period of six years, starting in FY 2006 • NSF has taken a leadership role for design of the Regional Class vessels • NSF funded a small study to determine potential design configurations and cost based on science mission requirements developed by the community • NSF proposes to take the lead in construction of the Regional Class vessels Regional Class Vessels will mainly conduct experiments in coastal areas. Shown here: R/V Point Sur

  9. Regional Class Ships • Significant cost savings in design and build (10–20 percent) from construction of a series of three ships sequentially over six years • Regional Class vessel cost estimates -- $25 million per ship -- construction could be done with Division of Ocean Science R&RA funding over several years • NSF and NAVSEA have signed an MOA which would allow NAVSEA to serve as the contracting authority for the Regional Class acquisition with NSF oversight • Open competition for operators of vessels

  10. Upgrade/Replacement of R/V Ewing for seismic research • R/V Ewing has 15 year lifetime but would require “mid-life refit” • National workshop held in 2002 to identify upgrade needs for existing vessel highlighted need for 3D seismic capability

  11. Replacement of R/V Ewing • Vessel capable of 3D seismic survey was economical for acquisition as a result of depression in oil exploration industry • Proposal was funded to obtain a replacement vessel • Columbia University would acquire vessel immediately, NSF would provide funding to pay off loan over time • Process analogous to acquisition of R/V Ewing

  12. Replacement of the R/V EWING • R/V Ewing upgrade discussion among NSF, LDEO and user community ongoing since 2000 • National workshop held in 2002 to identify major science upgrade needs for existing vessel • 3D seismic capability necessary for study and improving understanding of earthquakes, gas hydrates and mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal systems • Vessel capable of 3D seismic survey was available as a result of depression in oil exploration industry • Review process complete, proposal viewed “Excellent” Comparison of R/V EWING with replacement vessel.

  13. Human Occupied Submersible • Operational since 1964, ALVIN is part of the National Deep Submergence Facility (NDSF) which is supported by NSF, NOAA, ONR • At present, NSF-supported research utilizes over 80% of Alvin operating days annually; NOAA supports approximately 20% • Advanced age of ALVIN, and physical limitations (depth range, limited visibility and interior space) have led the user community over the past decade to call for its replacement ALVIN prepared for launch off the R/V ATLANTIS.

  14. Human Occupied Submersible • Workshop held in 1999 highlighted the need to design and construct a new deep-diving human occupied submersible • NSF and NOAA commissioned a full design study with cost estimates for a new vehicle. • In 2002, NSF, NOAA and ONR requested the Ocean Studies Board of the NRC to assess future needs in deep submergence science. Assessment findings included the need for replacement of the ALVIN with a new more capable human-occupied vehicle • WHOI submitted an unsolicited proposal to design and construct a replacement human-occupied deep submersible

  15. Increasing the depth capability of Alvin from 4500 meters to 6500 meters increases our access by 37% (from 62% to 98% of the ocean bottom).

  16. HOV Replacement

  17. HROV Operations • Event Response • Under Ice Operations • Margins • Marginal Environments • Public Outreach

  18. 11,000m Hybrid ROVWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution

  19. Fiber Optic Microcable (FOMC) • Developed by U.S. Navy for torpedoes and other uses • Size: 1/32 inch diameter, 100 lb breaking strength • Weight in water: • 1 lb/km 12 miles of fiber

  20. Armored Cable Depressor Vehicle Descent Anchor Assembly Hybrid for 11,000-Meter Operation HROV configuration

  21. HROV Autonomously Operated Remotely Operated

  22. Key Challenges in the HROV Program • Ceramic pressure cases • High efficiency lighting • Low power manipulators • High performance floatation • Microfiber deployment • and retrieval

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