The National Science Foundation

Stafford II - Room 555
Arlington, VA 22230

Monday, October 22, 2012

Important Note: If you plan to attend the Fleet Improvement Committee Meeting, please RSVP the UNOLS Office at office@unols.org. Your name will be added to the security list for access to NSF.

A pdf version of this agenda is available at <201210ficag.pdf>

0800 Coffee and Pastries

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

0845 Opportunity for Agency Comments

0900 Fleet Modernization Activities:

· Construction Projects: Full reports on vessel construction efforts will be provided during the Annual Meeting on October 23-24. However, Agency representatives and FIC meeting participants are welcome to discuss any issues or questions regarding the following efforts:

- Regional Class Research Vessel (RCRV) - Matt Hawkins (10 minutes)

- RV Sikuliaq (10 minutes)

- Ocean Class Research Vessel (OCRV) – general discussion/questions - Mike Prince (10 minutes)

· Propulsion Design of the Ocean Class AGOR – Chris Chuhran, Guido Perla & Associates, Inc. (30 minutes)

· R/V Barnes Replacement Plans – Doug Russell (15 minutes)

1015 Mid-Life Refit Plans for Thompson, Revelle, and Atlantis (and status of the Thompson Z-Drive Repairs) – Mike Prince

1030 Break

1045 R/V Langseth – MLSOC/FIC liaison report - Sandy Shor

1100 Fleet Planning and the UNOLS Fleet Improvement Plan (FIP):

· The current Fleet and an update on Fleet utilization trends – Annette DeSilva

· Review Fleet Projected Service Life End Dates – Review and update service life projections for existing vessels in fleet. - Clare Reimers

· Optimal Window of Vessel Usage Definitions – FIC is requested to work with the Fleet operators to review vessel optimal use calculations and establish a low and high limit range of operating days. These limits will depend on where the ship operates and what is needed to maintain the crew. - Clare Reimers

· Fleet Composition and Investment Recommendations – Discussion

· FIP Update – Discussion on content, format, etc

1200 Lunch

1315 Continued: Fleet Planning and the UNOLS Fleet Improvement Plan (FIP) – Continue morning discussion.

1415 Break

1430 Early Career Investigator Oceanographic Research Cruise Training Opportunity – Report on plans for this year’s Chief Scientist training cruise - Clare Reimers

1445 New Technologies and System Evaluations:

· Load Handling Systems – Update on the performance and capabilities of new handling systems in the Fleet. (TBD) (10 min)

· WHOI Long-Coring System- (10 min)

Status of NSF repositioning plan to R/V Langseth - Candace Major and Matt Hawkins

1505 FIC Membership – Two FIC members have terms expiring in 2012. – Clare Reimers

1525 FIC Guest Speakers – Identify special topics and speakers of interest to FIC for the next meeting.

1540 Other Business - Opportunity for Additional Reports

1450 Review FIC Action Items and Assignments (Clare Reimers)

1605 Adjourn

1615 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.