The application for the National Science Foundation-supported training for principal investigators leading collection of marine sediment samples utilizing the U.S. Academic Research Fleet (ARF) is now open! This training will consist of two five-day workshops bracketing a ten day participant-led cruise (8/23/22-9/1/22) aboard the R/V Roger Revelle, during which participants will gain hands on experience via planning and executing a successful sampling program. Training will cover the capabilities of the various ARF platforms/facilities and utilizing the UNOLS Marine Facilities Planning (MFP) System, site selection including use of legacy core and geophysical data, selection of appropriate sampling equipment to meet scientific goals, shipboard site survey, sample collection, physical properties logging, and core description, core curation and archival techniques and ingesting of recovered materials into the NSF Marine Geology Repository system. Application review begins on February 1, 2022.

The MATE Center and the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) are accepting applications for the 2022 Internship Program from undergraduate students and recent graduates. This is an incredible opportunity to work onboard research vessels and be exposed to a wide range of marine technologies, equipment and marine technical professionals. The National Deep Submergence Facility (NDSF) hosts interns to work with autonomous underwater vehicle Sentry, remotely operated vehicle Jason, and Human Occupied Vehicle Alvin through the MATE program. The MATE Center and the UNOLS fleet will sponsor 1 long-term (~ 6 months) and 10-12 short-term (4-16 weeks each) marine technical internships, some starting as early as January 2022. Application deadline: December 3, 2021.

The UNOLS Deep Submergence Science Committee (DeSSC) invites you to attend their fall meeting, Friday, December 4, 2020 at 1pm EST. Ocean scientists and students interested in deep submergence science are encouraged to attend the DeSSC meeting. Registration via the website is required.

The primary goal of the UNOLS Cruise Opportunity Program is to provide graduate students currently completing (or who have recently completed) a degree in a field of oceanographic research with the opportunity to participate in a research cruise. The participant will be a member of the scientific party and be involved in data collection and all other activities at sea. It is envisioned that the individual will be familiar with the science to be conducted at sea, and thus, form new collaborations and potentially develop new research directions. To be eligible to participate in this program, the individual must be either currently be studying at a U.S.-based institution or a recent graduate, and must have either a U.S. Passport or a U.S. Work Visa. The application deadline for the Spring 2020 Deployment Operations cruises is February 28, 2020; for Fall 2020, the application deadline is August 3, 2020.

The UNOLS Council has the standing goal of improving the quality and capability of existing ocean science facilities and the quality, reliability and safety of their operation. Many improvements have been made over the past decade, including the addition of new research vessels. UNOLS Council would also now like to turn attention to improving the quality of life and morale while working at sea, for both the permanent crew and itinerant scientists. For example, technological improvements in satellite internet connections have changed and enhanced life at sea, enabling those onboard to attend to personal business  and maintain family connections, but these technological improvements often come with high financial costs. Simpler, less expensive efforts can also improve morale and quality of life at sea, such as cook outs on the deck or swim calls (long ago …). Please help us improve the quality of life at sea by filling out this brief three question survey. Please complete the survey by February 28, 2020.

The UNOLS Deep Submergence Science Committee (DeSSC) is seeking nominations to fill one membership vacancy that will become open in the fall of 2019. The DESSC is the UNOLS Committee charged with providing oversight and advice to the National Deep Submergence Facility (NDSF) operator on matters concerning utilization, upgrades, and long-term planning of its vehicles (Alvin, Jason, and Sentry). The Committee strives to maintain awareness of the needs of the users for new sensors and equipment to address important scientific questions, and to provide this information to the NDSF operator and the federal agencies. Additionally the Committee works to engage early career scientists and promote outreach initiatives on the use of NDSF vehicles in deep submergence research. Candidates should be experienced in the use of deep submergence vehicles. For additional information about DeSSC, visit the Committee website. For information about committee responsibilities contact the DESSC Chair, Anna-Louise Reysenbach at bwar@pdx.edu or Alice Doyle (alice@unols.org). Terms of office are three years, with the possibility of re-appointment for a second term. The DeSSC has a spring meeting at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and then there is a community meeting prior to the annual AGU meeting each year. Applicants or nominees should submit a brief statement of interest in serving on DeSSC along with a CV to Alice Doyle of the UNOLS office by email (alice@unols.org) by September 13, 2019. Experience using deep submergence facilities should be highlighted in the statement of interest. Committee members are appointed by the UNOLS Chair based on the recommendation of the DeSSC and with the concurrence of the UNOLS Council.

The primary goal of the UNOLS Cruise Opportunity Program is to provide graduate students currently completing (or who have recently completed) a degree in a field of oceanographic research with the opportunity to participate in a research cruise. The participant will be a member of the scientific party and be involved in data collection and all other activities at sea. It is envisioned that the individual will be familiar with the science to be conducted at sea, and thus, form new collaborations and potentially develop new research directions. To be eligible to participate in this program, the individual must be either currently be studying at a U.S.-based institution or a recent graduate, and must have either a U.S. Passport or a U.S. Work Visa. Please note that you are responsible for paying for your travel to/from the ship (unless otherwise noted), and at this time the UNOLS Office is unable to provide travel funds; however your advisor or institution may have some ideas.

Whether this is your first or 100th time, planning for a cruise takes a lot of time, good communication and attention to details. Thorough planning is essential to a cruise’s success. To assist cruise participants, the UNOLS Office is pleased to announce the Cruise Planning Page on the UNOLS website. This information covers what you need to know to plan a successful cruise, beginning with the proposal writing phase through post-cruise documentation. The webpage includes a Cruise Planning timeline plus important information
regarding: Vessel-specific cruise planning websites; Working in foreign ports and obtaining Marine Science Research Clearances; Available equipment and services; Conducting isotope work – Radioisotopes, Natural Isotopes and Stable Isotopes. Whether you are a seasoned PI preparing for your next cruise or someone who
is contemplating requesting ship time, this information will help your project get off to the right start. If you have any questions about cruise planning or suggestions for the webpage, please contact the UNOLS office.

The UNOLS Marine Seismic Research Oversight Committee (MSROC) is requesting Letters of Interest from the marine seismic research community regarding proposals for experiments that would utilize seismic data acquisition capabilities similar to those currently provided by the R/V Langseth. Letters of intent due December 1, 2017.

After recent difficulties working in foreign ports, the funding agencies felt it important for scientists and operators within the U.S. Academic Research Fleet (ARF) to work together to take a closer look at these complex operations. The UNOLS Logistics Working Group, comprised of scientists, operators and funding agency representatives, reviewed current policies and sticking points around working in foreign ports and obtaining marine research clearances (MRC). The summary of their findings and their recommendations can be found in the UNOLS White Paper on Proposing, Planning, and Executing Logistics involved in Oceanographic Field Operations in Foreign Waters and Ports along with its Appendix 1-Detailed Recommendations and Considerations for Working in Foreign Ports and Obtaining Marine Science Research Clearances. These are must-reads for anyone planning to work in a foreign port or apply for an MRC. This includes seasoned PIs, new PIs, future PIs, lab technicians, vessel technicians, schedulers and operators alike. The documents help to outline the issues, responsibilities and key topics to consider when planning these complicated cruises.  Please pass this email along. It is important that this information is disseminated throughout the community!

The primary goal of the UNOLS Cruise Opportunity Program is to provide graduate students currently completing a degree in a field of oceanographic research with the opportunity to participate in a research cruise. The participant will be a member of the scientific party and be involved in data collection and all other activities at sea. It is envisioned that the graduate student will be familiar with the science to be conducted at sea, and thus, form new collaborations and potentially develop new research directions. To be eligible to participate in this program, the graduate student must currently be studying at a U.S.-based institution and have either a U.S. Passport or a U.S. Work Visa. Please note that at this time the UNOLS Office is unable to provide travel funds; your advisor or institution may have some ideas. Fall 2017 cruise: The cruise has two legs: Sep 25 – Oct 11 and Oct 11 – Oct 26 – applications will be accepted until full. Spring 2018 cruise: Applications for a cruise April 20 – May 22, 2018 are due December 1, 2017.