Page 35: of Marine News Magazine (March 2025)

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Feature

UNOLS

Understanding UNOLS and the U.S. Academic system by offering greater ? exibility and deeper access for

Research Fleet deep-sea research tasks.

Contrary to common misconception, UNOLS does not Another area of focus is the continued improvement of own or operate a ? eet. Instead, it facilitates coordination seabed mapping technology. “Mapping sonars and multi- among the U.S. Academic Research Fleet (ARF). ARF in- beam echo sounders have been around for a while, but we cludes 17 ships that fall into the global, ocean and coastal/ are continuously upgrading these tools to enhance resolu- regional class vessels. UNOLS’s main objective is to pro- tion and data quality,” Applegate noted.

vide equal access to research vessels for federally funded Moreover, autonomous systems are increasingly being scientists across all institutions. “The great thing about used to supplement traditional ship-based research. “With our ships is that everyone involved in their operations and autonomy, we can deploy a swarm of sensors alongside management shares a singular focus—supporting the best ships, transforming data collection from a single track-line possible oceanographic research,” Applegate explained. pro? le to a broad swath of information,” he said. However, “From physical oceanography to geophysics and marine challenges such as range, power supply, and system reli- ecology, our ? eet enables groundbreaking science.” ability mean that ships will remain indispensable as mobile

Technological innovation signi? cantly enhances ocean- command centers for these autonomous platforms.

ographic research capabilities. UNOLS is implementing new technologies to improve operational ef? ciency and Fleet Ops and Workforce Development broaden research possibilities. Woods Hole Oceanograph- The decline in available research vessels is one of the most ic Institution is developing two smaller containerized re- pressing issues facing UNOLS and the ARF. Over the past motely operated vehicles (ROVs) as a signi? cant advance- few decades, the U.S. ? eet has shrunk from 34 ships to just ment. The new ROVs will enhance the widely used Jason 17, limiting research opportunities. “The demand for sea-

Students spent the day aboard the Robert Gordon Sproul as part of Fiamma Straneo’s Observational

Physical Oceanography 176 class. The purpose of the cruise was to train and expose students to the collection of physical oceanographic observations including CTDs, shipboard ADCP, underway data, surface ocean data, bathymetry, and surface drifters. As well as the ships safety protocol and hand on experience with the ships equipment. Students spent the day launching, retrieving, testing and calibrating small scale CTDs they built in the Scripps Makerspace and comparing their data to the larger CTD.