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Help Shape the Future the U.S. Academic Research Fleet (ARF)
The U.S. Academic Research Fleet (ARF) is approaching a critical juncture. With a number of long-serving vessels reaching the end of their service lives—including the Global Class AGORs (R/Vs Thompson, Revelle, and Atlantis), and the R/Vs Marcus Langseth, Atlantic Explorer, and Kilo Moana—the need for timely recapitalization is paramount. We need the science community's perspective on the needs and vision for the next generation of research vessels.
We encourage you to complete the "Town Hall Survey: The Future of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet (ARF)" to provide your feedback for the future fleet. This brief survey asks for your feedback on crucial topics, including challenges in accessing ship time, essential capabilities for the next generation of Global and Ocean Class vessels (e.g., increased endurance, support for autonomous systems, zero/low carbon fuels) , and your overall priorities for the ARF.
Your essential feedback will help to shape UNOLS activities related to communicating the science community's needs for the coming decades including communicating with the federal agencies, supporting UNOLS institutions' efforts to communicate their needs for new more capable vessels, developing science mission requirements for new vessels, updating the ARF Fleet Improvement Plan, and facilitating the development of fleet replacement strategies.
You can also find the survey here:
