October 5, 2010

Tentative Agenda

UNOLS FLEET IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING

The National Science Foundation

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Stafford II - Room 555
Arlington, VA 22230

0800 Coffee and Pastries

0830 Call the Meeting: Clare Reimers, FIC Chair, will call the meeting to order and provide an opportunity for introductions.

Review Upcoming FIC Membership Changes

Discussion of need for speakers on special topics of interest to FIC at future meetings

0845 Opportunity for Agency Comments

0900 Fleet Renewal Activities - Full reports on vessel acquisition efforts will be provided during the Annual Meeting agenda on October 14-15. Issues that require FIC attention are listed below:

· Regional Class Research Vessel (RCRV) – FIC Tasking Recommendations and next steps – (Clare Reimers and Bob Houtman, NSF) (20 min)

· Ocean Class Research Vessel (OCRV) – (30 min)

NAVSEA will provide guidance on the formation of an Ocean Class Advisory Committee (OCAC), its tasks and role.

FIC will suggest members for OCAC.

NAVY will present information regarding the installation of Mission Equipment including prioritization and potential alternate systems recommended by the ship operators/ONR/PEO-Ships. Feedback from FIC will be requested.

· RV Sikuliaq – Issues requiring FIC attention (15 min)

Mock-ups and plans for mock-up review

Review ADA layout and features.

· R/V Langseth

Role of FIC liaison to MLSOC (Clare Reimers)

R/V Langseth operations and capabilities update (Sean Higgins)

Status of NSF-funded Winch Replacement Plan and MLSOC Review

1015 Break

1030 Fleet Planning:

· Science Mission Requirements (SMRs): Discussion on strategies for updating the UNOLS SMRs with examples and a plan for committee action: (30 min)

FIC will consider a preliminary comparison of the Ocean Class SMRs to Phase I Industry Team RFP Performance Specs to see how designers and spec writers have interpreted the SMR. This will be used to add more specific information to OC-SMRs, paving the way for Global Class SMRs. (Miles Sundermeyer, Al Hine, and Al Suchy)

FIC will review a preliminary list of specifications that apply to all SMRs and that can form a stand-alone document. (Maureen Conte and Jim Cochran)

· Projected Service Life End Dates - FIC is tasked to work with NSF to review all projected end of service life dates for the existing fleet and make recommendations on new end dates, investments, and upgrades through to 2020 (25 min)

Report from NSF on Ship Condition Summaries. Example documents to be provided on completed vessels: Point Sur, Oceanus, Endeavor, Walton Smith.

Discussion of proposed process for revising retirement dates and SLEP decisions (Bob Houtman)

· R/V Barnes Replacement – UW report on latest plans regarding replacement options for the R/V Barnes (15 min) (Doug Russell)

· Local Vessels – Should vessels under 100-ft be designated at UNOLS Vessels? (15 min)

FIC debate of pros and cons

· Polar Research Vessel (PRV) SMR Refresh Project – (Annette DeSilva) (5 min)

1200 Lunch

1315 Fleet Planning (continued):

· Ocean Observatory Projections - Status report on implementation plans (OOI Office) (10 min)

· Fleet Improvement Plan (FIP): (15 min)

Review progress towards implementing FIP recommendations (Clare Reimers)

Appendix on Ocean Acoustics

Underwater Radiated Noise Standards (URN). (Clare Reimers)

1340 New Technologies and System Evaluations:

· Load Handling Systems – Update on the performance and capabilities of the Kilo Moana handling system. (Sandy Shor) (15 min)

· WHOI Long-Coring System- (Clare Reimers and Bill Curry) (45 min)

Reimers memo and NSF/operator responses

Schedule of future long core operations

Discuss future user debrief process

Status of NSF repositioning plan (Bob Houtman and Al Suchy)

· Hugh R. Sharp User Debriefs- (15 min)

Summary of debrief interviews – (Allan Devol)

Review the Sharp 2011 schedule for candidate cruises

1455 Break

1510 UNOLS Outreach/Mentoring Initiatives:

· Ideas for FIC-organized regional UNOLS Chief Scientist Training workshops (Clare Reimers)

· Status of other UNOLS Outreach activities (Annette DeSilva)

1600 UNOLS Vessel Ship Classes – Review current UNOLS Vessel Classification and consider revisions as presented at Ocean Leadership Meeting (Annette DeSilva)

· Further discussion of upgrades to certain Intermediate Vessels; A-frame up-grades on Wecoma and Endeavor

1620 Other Business - Opportunity for Additional Reports

1630 Review FIC Action Items and Assignments (Clare Reimers)

1640 Adjourn

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1645 FIC Executive/Working Session – The remainder of the day is reserved for FIC members to address tasks and follow-up on activities addressed early in the day. Participation by FIC members only is requested.