APPENDIX XI

UNIVERSITY- NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC LABORATORY SYSTEM
GUIDELINES FOR REQUESTING/BECOMING UNOLS VESSEL

1. INTRODUCTION

This instruction provides a guideline for requesting the designation of an institution's vessel as a University National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) vessel. Included in this guideline is a description of the objective of UNOLS Operator Institutions, the relationship of UNOLS vessels to research and academia, the relationship of UNOLS operating institutions as UNOLS members, and the responsibilities of UNOLS operating institutions.

2. OBJECTI[VES OF UNOLS OPERATOR INSTITUTIONS

The objective of a UNOLS Operator institution is to provide an oceanographic vessel to scientists from both within and outside of their institution, provided that funding is available from the sponsor of the research or from the user.

3. RELATIONSHIP TO RESEARCH AND ACADEMIA

UNOLS vessels are those United States research vessels generally operated in support of national oceanographic research programs by academic institutions and are significantly funded by the federal government.

4. RELATIONSHIP OF UNOLS OPERATING INSTITUTION AS UNOLS MEMBER

UNOLS institutions that operate UNOLS vessels are, in addition, designated as Operator Institutions.

UNOLS vessels are designated by the UNOLS Council. The list of designated UNOLS vessels will be reviewed regularly for additions or deletions by the UNOLS Council. If a vessel ceases to meet the UNOLS standards, the UNOLS Council will recommend termination of such designation.

5. RESPONSIBILITIES OF A UNOLS OPERATING INSTITUTION

The responsibilities of the UNOLS operating Institution include, but are not

limited to:

  1. Assuring that ships are regularly available to all federally funded users.
  2. Maintaining their vessels to accommodate the needs of the academic oceanographic programs.
  3. Operating their UNOLS vessels in accordance with UNOLS Research Vessel Safety Standards, October 1989.
  4. Subjecting to regular, recognized ship inspection procedures, such as ABSTECH or INSURV.
  5. Participating fully in the UNOLS , scheduling process. The operating institution will receive, acknowledge, and structure requests for ship-time use in consultation with the UNOLS Office.
  6. Submitting cruise reports and cruise assessments according to UNOLS uniform practices.
  7. Adhere to cost accounting and performance standards according to UNOLS uniform procedures.
  8. Requesting funds for operation of their vessels. UNOLS membership does not guarantee federal funding.

6. REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A UNOLS VESSEL

An institution requesting designation of their vessel as a UNOLS vessel must be a qualified UNOLS member institution. If they are not a member, they must submit an application for membership in accordance with the guidelines established in the UNOLS Charter. These applications can be submitted in tandem with their requests to designate a vessel as a UNOLS vessel. Application forms can be obtained from the UNOLS Office.

The requirements for designating a vessel as a UNOLS vessel include:

  1. The institution must operate the vessel for research purposes.
  2. There must be evidence of three or more years of continuous operation of shared research facilities.
  3. The operating institution must be able to provide a projection of the vessel's use for the next year, including user charges.
  4. The vessel must -successfully complete an appropriate safety inspection such as ABSTECH or INSURV) at the, institution's expense.
  5. The vessel must be capable of operation under the UNOLS Research Vessel Safety Standards, October 1989.
  6. The vessel must be regularly available to all federally funded users.
  7. The vessel must be maintained to accommodate the needs of the academic oceanographic programs.
  8. The operating institution must be willing to participate fully in the UNOLS scheduling process. The operator will receive, acknowledge, and structure requests for ship-time use in consultation with the UNOLS Office.
  9. The operating institution must be willing to submit cruise reports and cruise assessments according to UNOLS uniform practices.
  10. The operating institution must adhere to cost accounting and performance standards according to UNOLS uniform procedures.
  11. The operator institution must be capable of requesting the necessary funds to support operation of their vessels. UNOLS membership does not guarantee federal funding.
  12. The operator institution must submit a written application to the UNOLS Office addressing all of the requirements listed above.

ELECTIONS TO MEMBERSHIP

Requests for designation of a vessel as a UNOLS vessel will be considered by the UNOLS Council upon receipt for evaluation of a written application by the operation institution. The application should address all requirements outlined in the previous section. Elections to membership will be held at a regular UNOLS meeting and require a majority vote of the Member Institutions present or by proxy if absent.