Access to the Sea: A Roadmap for Expedition Planning

The planning process for expeditionary oceanography often spans many years and involves multiple steps, starting from the initial proposal, to logistics planning, cruise execution, post-cruise and scientific reporting. Each year the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) Fleet supports a broad spectrum of research operations and their associated logistics support requirements. Operations can vary from single Principle Investigator (PI) cruises to multi-investigators field programs with multi-disciplinary research objectives in locations all over the world.

Over the past decade, the process for access to the sea has evolved and continues to be refined through the critical feedback of scientists, marine technicians, and ship operators.

Under UNOLS guidance, key guidelines have been identified for all phases of cruise planning; from pre-award to post-expedition to help ensure that the research objectives of programs can be met and that optimal use of our Nation’s oceanographic facilities is maintained.

An expeditionary roadmap has been created that captures the major milestones essential to executing a research cruise. The roadmap has been introduced during early career scientist workshops and also during the Chief Scientist Training Cruise programs of recent years. It is a useful planning tool not only for early career scientists and new ship users, but also for experienced sea-going scientists. The roadmap will soon be available as a resource tool on the new UNOLS website. This poster will feature the roadmap for expeditionary planning and offer key information about requirements and tips for a successful, safe, research cruise experience. In addition, existing and new requirements associated with custom clearances, export licensing requirements and additional planning considerations also needed when the research requires special facilities such as aircraft or deep submergence vehicles will be discussed.