Last Update: July 15, 2009
UNOLS Ocean Class Research Vessels
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News and Activities Related to the Ocean Class ► Ocean Class Operator Soliciation and Proposer Meeting ► Ocean Class Science Mission Requirements (SMRs) – Version 1.1 (8/07) ► Ocean Class Hull Evaluation Project - UNOLS recommendation (July 2004 - March 2005) ► Navy Ocean Class Phase II Study (2004) ► Ocean Class Science Mission Requirements (SMRs) – Version 1 (3/6/03) ► Community Responses to SMR Questionnaire ► SMR Workshop, July 23-24, 2002, Salt Lake City, UT ► Ocean Class Steering Committee (2002) To obtain information on UNOLS Fleet Renewal plans and activities go to: Fleet Renewal Activities |
Background on Ocean Class Vessels: Federal agencies were urged by the Academic Fleet Review (Schmitt et al., 1999; conducted for the National Science Foundation and approved by the National Science Board in May 1999) to begin the process of long-range planning for the renewal of the fleet. As a result of this report, the Federal agencies, through the Federal Oceanographic Facilities Committee (FOFC), and with input from the academic community (via UNOLS), produced a plan entitled "Charting the Future for the National Academic Research Fleet" <http://www.geo-prose.com/projects/fleet_rpt_1.html>. Over the next 20 years, the Plan calls for a fleet that is more capable than at present, but fewer in number. In the Plan, four classes of ships (Global, Ocean, Regional and Local) were used to describe the future fleet. The "Ocean Class ships will fulfill a critical need in fleet modernization, by replacing the aging "Intermediate" ships with vessels of increased endurance, technological capability, and number of science berths. These will be ocean-going vessels, though not globally ranging." The FOFC Ocean Class ship characteristics stated are:
Science Berths: 20-25 Using the FOFC characteristics as guidance, a community workshop was held in July 2002 to draft Science Mission Requirements (SMRs) for the Ocean Class. This was the first step in planning for the acquistion of the Ocean Class ships. |
Ocean Class AGOR Operator Soliciation
The draft solicitation for the Ocean Class AGOR operator selection is available at <http://www.unols.org/committees/fic/ocean/AGOR_27-28_Draft_OperatorSolicitation.pdf>
A prospective proposers meeting to be held at ONR on 27 July 2009 is planned. Following the meeting the solicitation will be finalized, with dates established for submission of proposals. The meeting Announcement is available at <http://www.unols.org/committees/fic/ocean/OceanClassAGOR_ProposersMeeting_27July09.pdf
JJMA Ocean Class Phase II Study
Program Status Review (July 7, 2004):
· http://www.unols.org/committees/fic/ocean/JJMA-ocean-briefing-7july04.pdf (~2.2 Mb)
Program Status Review (June 10, 2004):
· http://www.unols.org/committees/fic/ocean/JJMA-ocean-briefing-10june04.pdf (~612 Kb)
Program Status Review (May 20, 2004):
· http://www.unols.org/committees/fic/ocean/JJMA-ocean-briefing-20may04.pdf (~700 Kb)
Program Status Review (April 27, 2004):
· http://www.unols.org/committees/fic/ocean/JJMA-ocean-briefing-27april04.pdf (~718 Kb)
Program Status Review (April 2, 2004) – two formats are available:
· http://www.unols.org/committees/fic/ocean/JJMA-ocean-briefing-2april04.ppt (~5 Mb)
· http://www.unols.org/committees/fic/ocean/JJMA-ocean-briefing-2april04.pdf (~7 Kb)
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Ocean Class Steering Committee
A Steering Committee was formed to initiate the design/ construction process for Ocean Class vessels. The Steering Committee Members included. This committee assisted in the development of the SMRs and in the initial studies.
Dave Hebert, Chair (URI)
James Cochran (LDEO)
Tim
Cowles (OSU)
Charles
Flagg (BNL)
Rich
Findley (U. Miami)
Gary Hitchcock (U. Miami)
Bob Knox
(SIO)
Al Suchy (WHOI)
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