An association of institutions for the coordination and support of university oceanographic facilities
17 July 1995
Dr. Donald Heinrichs
NSF/OCFS
4201 Wilson Blvd., Rm. 725
Arlington, VA 22230
Dear Don,
As you know the Charter for the Fleet Improvement Committee (FIC) tasks this committee to "Improve the capability and effectiveness of individual ships and to assure that the number, mix and overall capability of' ships in the UNOLS fleet match the science requirements of academic oceanography in the U.S." In fulfilling this tasking the FIC has maintained an Updated Fleet Improvement Plan has developed mission requirement statements for various ship classes, has historically been active in providing review for new construction and has studied the mid-life conversions for Intermediate and Cape Class ships. Missing in these activities has been the review of individual proposals for major refits.
At our January FIC meeting in St. Petersburg, the Committee set a tasking goal of being involved in the mid-life reviews for NEW HORIZON, CAPE HATTERAS and POINT SUR. Through this letter we are requesting that NSF include the FIC in the review process for these ship refits as well as other institutional/consortium proposals that are seeking new or refit ships for the UNOLS fleet.
In the current funding environment it seems obvious that more coordination is needed on a regional basis for ship design and refit. This is particularly the case for vessels designed to operate in the coastal zones. FIC is a proponent for the concept of consortia and will strive to coordinate its activities on a regional basis using, consortia where they exist and to encourage regional cooperation where they do not. For any reviews we would consider the regional use of a ship as primary consideration and would endeavor to draw in regional members for such reviews.
cc: R. West
E. Dieter
Sincerely,
Signed
Christopher N.K. Mooers, Chair
Fleet Improvement Committee