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. OBJECTIVES 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. [MP1]
5. RESPONSIBILITIES OF A UNOLS OPERATING INSTITUTION
The responsibilities of the UNOLS operating Institution include, but are not limited to:
· a. Assuring that ships are regularly available to all federally funded users.
· b. Maintaining their vessels to accommodate the needs of the academic oceanographic programs.
·
c. Operating their UNOLS vessels in accordance with
UNOLS Research Vessel Safety Standards, October 1989Current
Edition.
·
d. Subjecting to regular, recognized ship inspection
procedures, such as ABSTECH NSF Ship Inspections or
INSURV.
· e. 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.
· f. Submitting cruise reports and cruise assessments according to UNOLS uniform practices.
· g. Adhere to cost accounting and performance standards according to UNOLS uniform procedures.
· h. 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:
· a. The institution must operate the vessel for research purposes.
· b. There must be evidence of three or more years of continuous operation of shared research facilities.
· c. The operating institution must be able to provide a projection of the vessel's use for the next year, including user charges.
·
d.. The vessel must -successfully complete an
appropriate safety inspection such as ABSTECH NSF
Ship Inspection or INSURV) at the, institution's expense.
·
e. The vessel must be capable of operation under the
UNOLS Research Vessel Safety Standards, October 1989.
· f. The vessel must be regularly available to all federally funded users.
· g. The vessel must be maintained to accommodate the needs of the academic oceanographic programs.
· h. 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.
· i. The operating institution must be willing to submit cruise reports and cruise assessments according to UNOLS uniform practices.
· j. The operating institution must adhere to cost accounting and performance standards according to UNOLS uniform procedures.
· k. The operator institution must be capable of requesting the necessary funds to support operation of their vessels. UNOLS membership does not guarantee federal funding.
·
l. The operator institution must submit a written
application to the UNOLS Office addressing all of the requirements listed above and
include a statement addressing how the addition of this vessel to the UNOLS
Academic Research Vessel Fleet will improve the mix of
facilities available for oceanographic programs or address an identified need
for specific capabilities.
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 and will be evaluated based on that information and match of the vessel to current or projected requirements for additional facilities. 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.
[MP1]This paragraph and the last paragraph would change if the Charter changed to require member votes