Global Class Research Vessels
Science Mission Requirements
Community Survey Form

This form has been disabled.

Skip to the Survey

Over the past few years, UNOLS has drafted Science Mission Requirements (SMRs) for two new classes of vessels that were outlined in the Federal Oceanographic Facilities Committee (FOFC) report, Charting the Future for the National Academic Research Fleet, A Long-Range Plan for Renewal.  These SMRs were for Regional Class and Ocean Class vessels.  The process for drafting these SMRs started with broad community input through a questionnaire similar to this one, followed by a community workshop and then community review of the draft SMR documents. In this way, UNOLS strongly believes that the resulting documents represent the requirements of a broad spectrum of ocean scientists. The final documents are posted on the UNOLS web site at <http://www.unols.org/committees/fic/smr/index.html>.

In the next five to ten years, several of the present Global Class ships (Thompson, Atlantis, Revelle) will reach the age where mid-life refits normally occur.  The SMRs for this class of vessels were originally drafted in 1989.  Since that time, there have been several advances in oceanographic research as well as technology developments that affect the desired capabilities for these vessels.  One example is meeting the needs of the future ocean observatory programs.  Additionally, SMRs will need to address regulatory constraints that have been implemented in recent years.  The UNOLS Fleet Improvement Committee (FIC) believes it is time to update the Global Class SMRs.  The FIC has recommended that the model used to develop the Regional and Ocean Classes SMRs be followed for the Global SMR effort.  Additionally, the Ocean Class SMR document should be used as a template in drafting the Global SMRs.

The SMRs will be for general-purpose requirements applicable for all Global Class ships.  Additions or modifications required for specialized Global Class vessels (e.g., the seismic vessel, HOV support vessel or heavy-lift capable vessel) will be placed in appendices of the report.

The first Global ship approaching it's service mid-life is the Thomas G. Thompson (ONR/UW), which will have 15 years of service in 2006.  We would like to be able to make the updated SMRs available in order to plan for any upgrades or refits of this ship in the coming years.

A Global Class SMR Steering committee has been formed and they have started on the task of drafting the updated Global Class SMRs. A web site for this project is located at: <http://www.unols.org/committees/fic/global/global_smr.html>

As part of this process, UNOLS would like to once again use feedback from the Ocean Science community as a basis for defining their Science Mission Requirements for Global Class vessels. Your input on this questionnaire will be invaluable.

Please Note:  The material submitted by you on this form will be posted for all to view at the Global Class SMR web site.  To view questionnaire responses that have been received to date, go to: <http://www.unols.org/committees/fic/global/gcsmrinput.html>.

Thank you for your assistance with this project.

Contact Information:

Global Class SMR Questionnaire
(Please complete this survey in terms of the work you would perform using a large global ranging vessel)

***Note: Please do not use semi-colons (;) we are using those as delimiters for our database. Thank you!***

1.  Please indicate your discipline of study:

2.  Specific Field of Research or Interest:

3.  The geographic region(s) you work or have plans to work. (mark all general areas where you work or plan to work in the future)

		1. North Atlantic (NA6, NA7, NA10, NA11)
		2. North Atlantic High Latitude (NA1 - NA5, AR11)
		3. Mediterranean Sea (NA8) or Baltic Sea (NA5A)
		4. Caribbean, Gulf (NA9)
		5. South Atlantic (SA1 - SA6)
		6. N.E. Pacific (NP8, NP9)
		7. Alaska (NP5, NP6)
		8. EPR, Cent. Amer. (NP13)
		9. Hawaii Is. Chain (NP11, NP12)
		10. Western Pacific (NP5, NP7, NP10)
		11. Equatorial Pacific (SP1 - SP3)
		12. South Pacific, SEPR (SP4-SP9)
		13. Australia (IN5, IN8)
		14. Indian Ocean (IN3 - IN11)
		15. Arctic (AR1 - AR11, NP1-NP3)
		16. Antarctic (AN1 - AN12)

Give a brief description of where you work.

Please indicate in the following questions:

• The requirements you would typically need for the science you would carry out on larger and/or global ranging ships. 
• Ranges of values for the individual requirement can be entered in many cases.
• Use the "Importance" question to rank how important that particular requirement is to you.
• Please use the comments boxes to explain your preferences.

[Ocean Class SMR - As a point of reference, Ocean Class SMR requirements are shown in blue italics. These are not designed to constrain your responses, but are intended to give you an idea of the capabilities envisioned for the class of vessels below the Global Class. Where appropriate, choices of size, etc. show the comparable value for existing Global Class vessels or previous large R/V SMRs.]

4.  Accommodations:

5.  Range (KM = Kilometers, NM=Nautical Miles):

6.  Desired Ship Speed:

7.  Seakeeping (maintain science operations at what speed and sea state/condition?):

8.  Station Keeping Characteristics:

9.  Deck Working Area:

What is the total open working deck area that you would need on the aft working deck?

Choose desired deck area > Ocean Class SMR (2000 sf) > 1989 Large R/V SMR (3000 sf) > THOMPSON Class (4070) > 4,500 sf > 5,000 sf

Provide comments about your deck area size and arrangement requirements:

[Ocean Class SMR - A spacious stern working area with 1,500 sq ft minimum aft of deckhouses, open and as clear as possible from one side to the other, is required. In addition, a contiguous waist work area along one side (starboard preferred) that provides a minimum of an 80 ft length of clear deck along the rail should be available. This area will to allow for 20 meter piston coring and other operations. A minimum width of eight feet is needed for the coring operations and the overall width of the waist deck should be wide enough to accommodate all planned operations. The total amount of clear working area available on the main deck aft should be maximized and equal to at least 2,000 sq ft. Among the possible van locations, the ability to install one ISO standard van with room for passage along the starboard side should be considered.]

10.  Laboratory (types, space requirements, outfitting):

Choose lab space type and size you consider appropriate for a Global Class R/V, the list below includes all of the lab spaces found on the Revelle:

11.  Science Storage Requirements:

Select Science Storage Space None required 5000 C. F. (Ocean Class SMR) 10,000 C.F. 15,000 C.F. 20,000 C.F. (Large RV SMR) greater than 20,000 C.F. Other - See comments

Use the space below to describe your science storage requirements during your science missions.

[Ocean Class SMR - 5,000 cubic feet]

12.  Winch and Wire Requirements:

Use the space below to describe any particular winch requirements unique to your science.
Also use this section to amplify any wire or cable related requirements that might have a major impact on the
number and types of winches or over-the-side handling equipment.

[Ocean Class SMR - Two hydrographic-type winches w/up to 10,000 meters 1/4" to 1/2" wire, EM or FO cable
A heavy winch complex capable of handling 12,000 meters of 9/16" wire/synthetic wire rope and/or
10,000 meters of 0.68" EM or FO cable]

13. Towing Requirements:

Use the space below to describe any towing requirements to perform your science mission, such as towing large nets,
deep tow side-scans, towed undulating vehicles like SeaSoar, dredges, etc. Describe any activities that require
any special capabilities.

[Ocean Class SMR - The ship should be capable of towing large scientific packages up to 10,000 lbs tension at 6 knots, and
25,000 lbs at 4 knots. Winch control should allow for fine control (± 0.1 meters/min) at full load and
all speeds. Winches should be capable of sustaining towing operations continuously for days at a time.]

14. Crane Requirements:

Use the space below to describe your crane requirements for your science mission. Will you need a crane at sea
for your work?

[Ocean Class SMR- A crane that can reach all working deck areas and that is capable of offloading vans and equipment
weighing up to 20,000 lbs to a pier or vehicle in port is desirable. This will generally mean being able
to reach approximately 20 feet beyond one side of the ship (usually starboard) with the design weight.
At least one crane should be able to deploy buoys and other heavy equipment weighing up to 10,000 lbs
up to 12 feet over the starboard side at sea in sea state 4.

One or two smaller cranes, articulated for work with weights up to 4,000 lbs at deck level and at the
sea surface, with installation locations forward, amidships, and aft should be provided.]

15.  Over-the-side Handling Requirements:

Use the space below to describe your over-the-side handling requirements, especially that would be out of the ordinary
or substantially different than what is available on Global class vessels currently.

[Ocean Class SMR - The Stern Frame should be designed for a dynamic safe working load of 30,000 lb through its
full range of motion, and it must structurally engineered to handle 1.5 times the breaking strength of
cables up to one inch, such as the tether for large ROV systems (up to 120,000 lbs breaking strength).
The stern A-frame should have a 15-ft minimum horizontal and 25-ft vertical clearance from the
attachment point for the block to the deck. At least a 12-ft inboard and outboard reach is required.

Side weight handling appliances or frames should be designed to handle the loads for piston coring
(e.g. 9/16 inch 3 x 19 wire) and have a safe working load of at least 20,000 lbs. Multiple locations
and/or multiple devices should be provided that will facilitate deploying coring equipment, equipment
from either side, and from the bow area. Portable weight handling appliances should be located to work
with winch and crane locations, but be able to be relocated as necessary. The design of frames and other
weight handling equipment should allow removal to flush deck foundations.]

16.  Acoustic System Requirements:

Check all systems that you would require on a Global Class Vessel (elaborate below if more space needed)

Use the space below to describe your acoustic system requirements. (Please indicate system requirements as well
as requirements or criteria for radiated noise and interference with acoustic systems.)

[Ocean Class SMR - 12 kHz single beam deep-sea echo sounder that meets the IHO standards for accuracy.
- Sub-bottom profiler operating in the 2 to 8 kHz /10 kW transmitter.
- A multi-beam swath mapping sonar system capable of one degree or better resolution at full ocean depth.
- Acoustic Doppler Current Profiling system - more than one frequency (i.e. 38, 75 or 150 kHz);
hull mounted with a combined capability of 1000 meter depth and fine scale shallow water performance.
- Systems for acoustic navigation, tracking and communications with submersibles and other underwater systems.]

17.  Navigation:

Use the space below to describe any navigation requirements for your science mission.

18.  Shipboard (Internal) Communication Needs:

Use the space below to describe your shipboard communication requirements. (This includes computer/data requirements.)

19.  External Communication:

Use the space below to describe your external communication requirements.
(This includes ship-to-shore communications, satellite, streaming data & video, etc.)

20.  Van Requirements:

What is the maximum number of vans you would need to carry for your cruises? Choose # none 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 more than 7
Do you think vans should be used for additional berthing? no yes ???
List the type of vans you might need?

Use the space below to describe van requirements for your science mission.

[Ocean Class SMR: The vessel should be capable of carrying two (2) standardized 8 ft by 20 ft portable deck vans that
may be laboratory, berthing, storage, or other specialized use. Also it is desirable that it include the
capability to carry up to two (2) additional portable, possibly non-standard size, vans (500 sq ft total)
on superstructure and working decks (total of four vans).]

21.  Other science requirements:

Use the space below to describe any other science requirements.

22.  Additional Comments:

Please provide any other comments that you may have not previously addressed in this form.

Additional comments can be sent to: global@unols.org

Thank you for your input to this important UNOLS project.

For the latest information on the Global Class SMR Project please visit
<http://www.unols.org/committees/fic/global/global_smr.html>.