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Research Vessels

University of Washington: R/V Roger Revelle (AGOR 24), the vessel. Depending on vessel size and capability, and the operated by Scripps Institution of Oceanography; R/V Atlan- scienti? c objectives, vessels generally complete from 10 to 25 tis (AGOR 25); operated by Woods Hole Oceanographic In- separate cruises annually lasting from a few days up to two stitution; and R/V Kilo Moana (AGOR 26), operated by the months.

University of Hawaii. Cruises take place the world over, in every ocean, major

According to Schnoor, oceanographic research vessels with- body of water, the Great Lakes, in U.S. and foreign exclusive in the U.S. ARF are owned by federal agencies (the Navy and economic zones (EEZs), says Schnoor. “Teams of scientists the National Science Foundation) and state institutions, such accompany the research vessel and crew on planned science as universities. Vessels are leased to competitively selected, cruises. The teams are headed by a chief scientist, and can oceanographic research institutions via charter party agree- include from a few to as many as 35 other scientists from the ments or cooperative agreements for a period of ? ve years, same or different institutions. The chief scientist is responsi- and are generally renewable with the same institution for the ble for planning the research objectives of the cruise, ensuring service life of the vessel. The vessels are operated and main- the data and samples are collected, and assisting the crew in tained by licensed mariners hired as university employees. the operation of the oceanographic mission equipment. In an

Operations and maintenance costs are sponsored by federal effort to maximize the effectiveness of cruises, and to econo- agencies who sponsor the scienti? c research carried out on mize on cruise costs, vessel scheduling is coordinated by the

R/V Sikuliaq

Research vessels like R/V Sikuliaq are built to conduct scien- ti? c observation and experimentation.

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