APPENDIX XVI

University of Miami
From: Prof. Chris Mooers, UNOLS/FIC Chair
To: UNOLS FIC
Subj: White Paper on UNOLS Regional Research Vessel Consortia

Date: 30 June 1995

1 . Enclosed is the draft of subject white paper, commissioned by the UNOLS Council.

2. Please read and critique it in advance of our July meeting, so that we can discuss it thoroughly, and revise it accordingly at that time. (If you care to send me comments in advance, I will make a fresh draft before we meet.)

3. The next step will be to circulate it to the UNOLS Council for comment in advance

of the September meeting.

cc: Dr. Donald Heinrichs, NSF Dr. James Andrews, ONR

(signed)

Chris Mooers

DRAFT

White Paper on UNOLS Regional Research Vessel
Consortia
Chris Mooers, FIC Chair

29 JUN 95

Background. Recently, UNOLS has suddenly entered an era of rapid change: downsizing, realignment, no-growth funding levels at NSF, etc. In the same era, US Navy has decommissioned its research vessels and NOAA may be following suit. Furthermore, the character of ocean science is changing with polarization into global and coastal ocean science, with new satellite and other autonomous observing systems, with an enlarged research populace, and with the emergence of computer modeling.

This is an era when the concept of shared resources (ships, instrumentation, marine technicians, etc.) may have new meaning and urgency, especially with needs for expensive technology and more competitive research funding. The shared resource approach is timely with the trend for the scientific user-base being evermore dispersed institutionally and the rise of non-ship-operating institutions.

There may also be new opportunities in regional ocean science and coastal ocean science, especially if improved, coordinated efforts can be engendered and maintained. On the regional and coastal scales, research vessel inventories need to encompass a spectrum of vessel sizes and types.

Historically, the UNOLS community has seen regional consortia develop, mainly in association with efforts to acquire a new research vessel. None of the present consortia (see Appendix) can be said to be fully functional. Remarkably, a 1972 (!) UNOLS study outlined the need and potential for regional consortia for coastal ocean research; the concepts articulated then seem very relevant today.

Vision. Now is the time to cultivate a new stage of development for the existing (and largely moribund) regional consortia. They should be based on well-rationalized geographical domains and cover the full spectrum of research vessels. Their major attributes would include:

1 . One or more ship-operating institutions involved as principals

2. One or more academic institutions involved as principals

3. A non-exclusionary nature by offering associate membership to non-ship operating regional institutions.

4. A level of 'jointness' associated with the ship operations; e.g.,

• regional scheduling
• pooling of instrumentation
• pooling of marine techs
• coordinating shore support (i.e., maintenance and repair)
• long range planning of vessel and facility requirements, design, upgrading, equipage, training, regional telemetered data, data processing, etc.
• proposal preparation

5. Regional faculty (user) oversight

6. Regional management (administrative) coordination

7. A focus on intermediate and small RNs; however, large R/V's, specialized platforms, and other facilities could be included

Note: Items 1 to 6 are considered necessary conditions; large R/Vs may need their own mega-consortia.

New management mechanisms need to be evolved and codified. For example, past consortia may have remained embryonic because member institutional commitment was lacking. A system of membership dues (to defray costs of meetings, etc.) might make the difference. (it may be best for UNOLS to propose a template for consortia.) Clearly, there must be a balance between the needed management controls of ship-operating institutions and the oversight required by the regional community of scientists served.

Another need is for NSF, ONR, NOAA, and other agencies to provide moral support of regional consortia, which needs to be backed with financial inducements.

Plan-of-Action. Several steps need to be taken. First, the UNOLS Council needs to endorse this regional consortia concept, and modify it as necessary. Second, UNOLS needs to create guidelines for the formation and operation of consortia. Third, agency moral and financial support must be obtained. Fourth, one or more consortia should be encouraged to "step out" with revitalization. Fifth, their progress should be monitored, the guidelines modified, and the overall UNOLS community should be kept informed of progress and problems.

APPENDIX

Existing Regional Consortia