Ocean Sciences Chief Scientist Workshop
Honolulu, Hawaii
UNOLS
February 23, 2014
Speakers Contact Info
• Jon Alberts- UNOLS Office
Univ. of Rhode Island/Grad. School of Oceanography
Web: www.unols.org; E-mail: office@unols.org
URI Office: 401.874.6824
• Clare Reimers
Oregon State University/College of Earth, Ocean and
Atmospheric Sciences
E-mail: creimers@coas.oregonstate.edu
OSU Office: 541.737.2426
Why this forum?
Most Early Career Scientists who have taken part
in one or more oceanographic research cruise are
not aware of the phases of pre-cruise science and
logistics planning and post-cruise reporting that
lead to a successful expedition.
This awareness will help you formulate compelling
research proposals and accomplish your
objectives.
TYPICAL
TIMELINE
Award
notification
Expedition
activities
Pre-cruise
phone call /
meeting
vehicle
requirements Cruise
planning
activities/in
strument
testing Deadlines
for info
to
operator
SUBMIT
PROPOSAL
Identify
Proposal
and
essential
planning
equip.
Shiptime
and
build science request
facilities
team
form
“budget
reality check”
Post-cruise
assessment
(for NSF)
Data
mgmt.
compliance
preliminary
cruise
report is due NDSF
debrief
for
activities in
foreign
waters
Packing/
final prep.
activities
Special
planning
considerations
Post-award
Pre-award
All planning
activities
should begin
~4 months
before
proposal
submission
FINAL
cruise report
DUE
~5-6
~ 18-24
months
months
after
before 1st
proposed
proposal
cruise
submission
(RAPID
proposals
excepted)
~5
~6
months months
before before
cruise cruise
~3
~1
months month
before before
cruise cruise
Expedit
ion
Post-expedition
2 years
1
~2
after
month months
expedition
after
after
cruise cruise data due
per agency
guide-lines
Proposal Planning: Show that you will
make good use of the capabilities of a
Research Vessel
Does your science question require collection of field data to
answer the question?
Is there existing data which could be used that wouldn’t require
ship time?
Is your field plan novel? feasible? cost-effective?
Are there other cruises already planned in the geographic area?
Can this be a collaborative expedition?
Can the field research be done as an ancillary project (+ days)?
Understanding ship scheduling and
coordination of expeditions across ocean
basins
Know the organization which is responsible for ship scheduling realizing there
are different models.
Single ship organization versus consortium, versus government entity which
plans an expedition.
Single PI’s or a Community Planned approach to expedition planning.
UNOLS Model- Consortium of ship operators which work together with
funding agencies representatives. With a central point of contact to facilitate
communications.
Other Models- Sharing of ship time across national and international
operators. Ocean Facilities Exchange Group (OFEG) Model
Ship Request- making sure you are on
the right platform
Does ship have the Shipboard Instrumentation- Sonars, flowthrough seawater, data acquisition systems, deck space, deck
load capacity, lab space, bunk space, to do your cruise?
Is the ship the right “size” for your work?
Don’t need a global ship to work in coastal zone. Don’t take a
small ship into the North Pacific in mid winter.
Does the operator provide marine technicians familiar with the
operations you want to conduct?
Presenting a Preliminary Cruise Plan in
your Proposal
 Where is your study area?
 Is there a seasonal component that requires a specific time at sea?
 How much time at sea is required? How many stations?
 Is there flexibility in the direction that your cruise can be carried
out, i.e. east to west or west to east?
 Does your science program consider the availability of personnel or
equipment (e.g., a piston corer or ROV)?
 Do you have a back-up plan?
Heavy Weather
Does your cruise plan allow for the
likelihood of days lost due to weather?
Cruise planning part 2
Post award planning
Communications
with Collaborators, Ship, Port Office, and Technical Support
Personnel should start right after award notification
Establish lines of communication early to create a good flow of information
Document the pre-cruise planning exchange of information
Chief Scientists need to ensure all science party members needs are met.
Develop Your Science Team
What skills are needed for a cruise, over-the side operations, sample
processing, data collection & processing?
What skills can the ship’s crews & technicians supply and have they
agreed to help?
What education and outreach goals can you accomplish by inviting
students, teachers, press?
Do you have enough people for round-the-clock operations
including watch-standers and leaders?
Choose people who you can rely on to be team players and ask
about sea-sickness and medical history.
Establish early what equipment you are bringing,
what equipment is supplied by the ship, leased or
borrowed, and how will it all be integrated.
Visit the vessel and hold a pre-cruise meeting with
the operator.
Research Clearances to Conduct Marine Scientific
Research within the Exclusive Economic Zone
Environmental Permitting
Port Concerns, Custom Clearances,
Export Control Laws, Shipping
Multi-ship Operations
Leading your cruise
Communicate key objectives
Set priorities (stations, samples, ops)
Establish daily plans and a watch-schedule or
operation chiefs
Have back-up plans
Keep tabs on your science party’s research
needs, health, safety
Understand and respect chain of command
A Chief Scientist Can’t Ignore:
personnel issues, safety, medical, cultural understanding
 Importance of establishing a friendly work environment while being
prepared to handle any personnel conflicts which may arise.
 Establish a Safety Awareness and Culture
 Cross Training of personnel in the event a critical person becomes sea-sick
 Understanding of any medical, physical, mental limitations in the science
party as well as the crew.
 Understanding and appreciating cultural differences
 Gender make-up and berthing arrangements
 Zero tolerance of drugs, alcohol, sexual harassment
POST CRUISE REPORTING
REQUIREMENTS
Foreign Clearance reporting requirements
Post Cruise Reporting as directed by your
funding agency and for the ship operators.
Data Dissemination
Shared Cruise Report