Ocean_Class

Last Update: August 20, 2007

UNOLS Ocean Class Research Vessels

Index

► Ocean Class Steering Committee

► Ocean Class Hull Evaluation Project - UNOLS recommendation

► Ocean Class Science Mission Requirements (SMRs) – Version 1 (3/6/03)

► Ocean Class Science Mission Requirements (SMRs) – Version 1.1 (8/07)

► Navy Ocean Class Phase II Study

► Past Activities:

· Community Responses to SMR Questionnaire

· SMR Workshop, July 23-24, 2002, Salt Lake City, UT

To obtain information on UNOLS Fleet Renewal plans and activities go to: Fleet Renewal Activities

This website contains information pertaining to the design and construction plans for the new Ocean Class Vessels.

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:

Length: 55-70 meters
Endurance: 40 days
Range: 20, 000 km

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. These SMRs have been finalized and are now available.

Ocean Class Steering Committee

A Steering Committee has been formed to initiate the design/ construction process for Ocean Class vessels. The Steering Committee Members include:

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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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)