R/V Thomas G. Thompson, Users' Handbook

School of Oceanography, University of Washington

Introduction
Section I: The Ship
Section II: Shoreside Support
Section III: Scheduling, Planning and Reports
Section IV: Aboard Ship

Introduction

The R/V THOMAS G. THOMPSON (AGOR-23) was constructed by Halter Marine and funded by the Navy. The vessel was delivered to ONR in 8 July 1991 and is operated by the University of Washington, under a Charter Party Agreement, on behalf of NORCOR. The R/V THOMPSON is a thoroughly modern vessel capable of multidisciplinary research in most oceans of the world.

This handbook provides information on the operational capabilities of the vessel and guidance on various policies, regulations, procedures,safety, and lifesaving precautions. The intent is to assist the chief scientist and members of the scientific party in preparing for a cruise and successfully accomplishing the scientific mission, while maintaining a harmonious relationship with support personnel and the ship's crew. While the Master and Chief Scientist have considerable latitude in the accomplishment of a scientific mission, any major deviation from standard procedures and policies must be approved by the School well in advance of the cruise.

The R/V THOMPSON and support personnel have the sole purpose of implementing scientific research and it is the intent of the School to be responsive to the needs of the researcher. Please contact appropriate support personnel, as necessary, for additional information and assistance.

						WELCOME ABOARD 

						Arthur R. M. Nowell
						Director, School of Oceanography
						September 29, 1994

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SECTION 1

General Data
Ships Dimensions Length (overall) Beam Draft (full load) Displacement (full load)	274' 52.5' 19' 3,250 LT
Propulsion	Twin 360 degree azimuthing stern thrusters rated at 3,000 HP each, 1,100 HP water jet bow thruster
Speed	Normal Cruising - 13 knots; Maximum - 14.5 knots
Endurance	33 days @ 14 knots plus 29 days @ 3 knots
Fuel	248,000 gallons (endurance load)
Potable Water	2 watermakers, each capable of making 4,000 gallons per day. Storage capacity of 13,000 gallons
Stationkeeping	Able to hold position within 300' radius of station with significant wave height of 11', 2 knot current, and 27 knot wind
Complement	22 officers and crew 34 scientists 2 marine technicians
Scientific Spaces Staging Bay Hydro Lab Wet Lab Main Lab Bio./Analyt. Clean Lab Electronic/Comp. Lab Scientific Storerooms	380 ft2 700 ft2 235 ft2 1,730 ft2 359 ft2 820 ft2 610 ft2 - Main Deck, FR8-21, 900 ft2 - 1st platform, FR87-96
Scientific Load	200 tons
Work Boats	1 each, 26' RIB, 15' Achilles inflatable
Rescue Boat	19' RIB
Working Deck Area	3,500 ft2, including 12' x 100' contiguous handling area on starboard side
Tiedowns	Flush bolt sockets on 2' centers on all working decks; 1" diameter on weather decks, 3/8" interior decks of laboratoies and scientific storage areas
Deck Equipment	3 winches, stern A-Frame, starboard telescoping boom 4 cranes, and 2 portable capstans

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Ship Service
Power Primary Propulsion Primary Electric Emergency Power Clean Power	3 generators - 1,500 KW CAT/KATO 3 generators - 715 KW CAT/KATO 1 generator 250 KW CAT/KATO M-G sets supply 88 KW for laboratories, plus necessary clean power for exterior communications, navigational equipment, and DPS and propulsion machinery controls
UPS	12 KW
Water Capacity Fresh Water Salt Water Lab Water	13,000 gallons/storage, 2 4,000 gallon/day watermakers Uncontaminated saltwater system supplies 20 grm to labs 300 gallons, 2 150 gal/day evaporators
HVAC Labs Scientific Stores All other A/C Space	Heating - 70_F Cooling - 75_F, 55% rel. humidity Heating - 70_F Cooling - 80_F, 55% rel. humidity Heating - 70_F Cooling - 80_F, 55% rel. humidity

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Ship Equipment
Winches Hydrographic CTD Trael/Coring	Markey DESH-5, electric with SCR control, 30,000' of 0.25" 3 x 19 torque balanced wire or 30,000' of 0.322" E-M cable Markey DESH-5 as above, except 30,000' of 0.322" E-M Cable Markey DESH-9-11WF double drum electric mounted below deck, 30,000' of 0.25" 3 x 19 torque balanced wire and 30,000' of 0.68" E-M cable Closed circuit TV monitors in winch room.
Frames A-Frame Telescoping Boom	On stern, 12 ton static load, 6 tons in motion, vertical clearance 25'; outreach 13', inboard 9', inside width 20' at base, 16' at top On starboard side on top of staging bay, 12 ton static load, 2 tons in motion. Vertical clearance of 20', outreach 8', inboard 6'
Cranes Heavy Lift Portable Folding Bow	2 Alaska Marine cranes, Model MCS 1565 NO, 1 each on main deck aft starboard side, and on 01 level port side; capacities: 42,000lb @ 10' radius, 3,400lb @ 65'; 12,500lb winch;boom cruthches for 2 trawling positions HIAB FOCO 180 Sea Crane on port quarter, main deck, 27' reach HIAB FOCO 180 Sea Crane on starboard side, 43' reach
Work Boats	2 available: Avon SR-8 26' RIB with twin 85 HP O/Bs, Achilles 15' Inflatable with 40HP O/B
Navigational Systems Dynamic Positioning Acoustic Positioning SATNAV LORAN C ADF Speed Log Depth Finders Gyro Compass System Radars Wind Sensors Weather Facsimile	Robertson Shipmate with inputs from GPS and acoustic positioning system Honeywell R/S 906 (with SBL and LBL) Magnavox 1107, 4 channel, 2 reciever with GPS and transit capabilities, remote display in computer lab II Morrow Tiger Shark with a II Morrow M300 plotter and 2 Koden UR 7 displays (one in the computer lab) Mackay 4005A, 190-2197 kHz Ocean Data Equipment COrp. dual axis doppler with 3 repeaters (one in computer lab) 2 Raytheon RD-500 with remote digital display in main lab Dual Sperry MK 37 Raytheon Pathfinder/ST KW 16" S Band w/ CAS and Raytheon Pathfinder/ST TM 25KW 16" x Band 2 Belfort Model 120 Aerovane transmitters with readouts in the chartroom, pilothouse, and main lab Alden TR-1
Communication Systems Single Side Band VHF-FM SATCOM Intra-Ship Phones Sound Powered Dial	Mackay MSR 8050A (1.6-30 mHz) 125 watt PEP, Mackay MSR 8050 (2-23 mHz) with MSR 1020 1 KW linear amplifier SAILER SP3210 JRL w/ PABX, modem, facsimile, and IBM PS/2 Hose-McCann Provided for offices, laboratories, working deck, messroom, and lounge

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Scientific Work Spaces
Laboratories Unistrut Sections Deck Bolting Grid Fume Hoods Compressed Air (15 psi) Sinks	At 2' intervals on all bulkheads conforming to the deck bolting grid 3/8" threaded boldown fittings on a 2' grid pattern 4 laboratory grade laminar flow Class A, a 44" type in the Biochemical Analyitcal Clean Lab and Hydro Lab. A 36" type in main lab and a 24" unit in the Wet Lab At 8' intervals along laboratory benchtops 2 each stainless steel in Main Lab, Hydro Lab and Wet Lab, and 2 epoxy in Biochemical Lab
Storerooms Deck Bolting Grid Loading Hatches	3/8" threaded boldown fittings on a 2' grid pattern On open decks above both storerooms; interior access available to each from Main Deck passageway
Climate Control Chamber	8' x 8' x 10' capable of controlling internal temperatures for 0_C to 38_C
Scientific Freezer	8' x 8' x 10' capable of maintaining a temperature of -18_C
Dark Room	Sinks and cabinets provided
Diving Locker	Accessible from starboard side of the Main Deck; installation of a breathing air compressor system with storage tanks upon request
Science Office	Desk, file cabinets, bookcase, light table, chart file, and marker board provided; scientific UNIX workstation
Laboratory Dimensions Capabilities	2 ISO standard 8' x 8' x 20' vans One configures as a Hot Isotope Lab and the other as a Clean Chemical Lab. HVAC to provide a laboratory environment (i.e., 75_F, 55% RH) 10 KVA, 115/208V power panel; with connectors for both fresh and uncontaminated seawater, 2 unistrut support systems with 3/8" threaded boldown fittings on a 2' grid pattern

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Scientific Instrumentation and Equipment
Bathmetric/Seismic Systems Profilers Transcievers Coorelator Digitzer SWATH Mapping System Seismic Air Compressors	3.5 kHz sub-bottom system using 12 ODEC TR 109 transducers and 2 12 kHz bottom profilers using single ODEC TC-12/34 transducers ODEC PDD-2000 w/ Optical Data (Seg-Y format) CESP IV ODEC PDD 2000 Krupp-Atlas Hydrosweep DS with color graphic monitor, line scan recorder, and depth contour plotter 2 LMF VHGD 4622 W15; 300 scfm capacity, 2,000 psi working pressure
CTD Systems	SeaBird SBE-9. Seatech Transmissometer (25cm) Seatech Flurometer, General Oceanics Rosettes (12 and 14), Niskin Bottles (1.5, 2.5, 5, 10 and 30 liter), underwater cage, data aquisition and processing computers and software
Navigation Display	Data aquisition computer and software to display ship's position on a CRT and/or plotter
Current Profiler	RD Instruments, Acoustic Doppler, 150kHz with data aquisition computer and RD software

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Scientific Information System The science information system allows users to access and transfer information throughout the ship with some preparation and to and from shore. The ship is linked together via Ethernet. The main backbone is standard (thick) Ethernet with thinnet, some twisted pair, and local talk distributed into the labs. The standard Ethernet is distributed through fibre optic cable throughout the ship, and with thick to thin and thick to twisted pair repeaters, most of the locations on the ship can be readily accessed. The network is serviced by three UNIX workstations (DEC 5000) and distributed through a fibre optic hub to 48 locations on the ship. Two other UNIX workstations are located on the ship, and their functions are to act as file server and X-terminal host. Through the UNIX workstation, e-mail is transmitted once a day to shore via INMARSAT A. The science information system is the repository for all shipboard acquisition systems. These acquisition systems store all their data on a hard disk mounted on one of the workstations and accessible on the network via NFS. Shipboard DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEM (DAS) Provides at least one RS 232 output port in every lab with data stream containing values from the following shipboard sensors: GMT time ship speed long wave radiation GMT date barometer short wave radiation latitude, longitude water depth ship heading SOG, COG pitch air temperature wind speed wire tension wind direction wire out sea water conductivity sea temperature Data values are updated at least every 10 seconds, are output at 9600 baud, and are easily accessed from a user computer with an RS232 communication port. Alternatively, the user can be provided with media of the data after it is acquired by the ship data logging system. The system use is free, except for expendable supplies (disks, paper, etc.). CTD System Our primary CTD data collection system utilizes a SeaBird SBE 9/11 with dual sensors, rated for 6,000m depth, and SEA SOFT modular software routines for acquisition, display, and storage of data. Software capabilities include: calculation of conductivity, temperature, and pressure, determination of auxiliary channel voltages from A/D converter binary information; operator entry and media storage; computation of depth (m), density (sigma-theta and sigma-t), salinity (salinity units) sound velocity (m/sec), potential temperature, specific volume anomaly, North and East current vectors, current speed and direction, X and Y axis tilt, oxygen (ml/l or mg/l), pH, light transmission (percent transmission or beam attenuation coefficient), PAR light, fluorescence, sensor frequencies, A/D channel voltages, scan number, and time; creation of event marker files for easy correlation of CTD and water bottle data; CRT display of the converted values in X-Y screen plots or as tabulated engineering units in a fixed or scrolled display; plots of converted values on printer or multipen plotters; storage of the raw CTD data set in standard MS-DOS files; these may be accessed by user programs for further processing or for transfer to another computer; automatic creation of a header file, containing system time and data, calibration of coefficients, and user supplied information for "cruise," "leg," "latitude," "longitude," and X-Y plot label and also almost unlimited annotative (header) information can be entered; retrieval of data previously recorded, which may be examined with any of the above display or plotting options; splitting of the raw data into separate upcast and downcast files; bin averaging of stored raw data and conversion to an ASCII file containing any selected group of numerical values; CRT display and plotting of bin averaged data on a printer multipen plotters. SEASOFT is written in the "C" programming language and is not copy protected. The program source files are provided and may be used to modify the routines, if desired. Users will be charged for data media such as disks, tapes, paper, etc., which will be provided by the ship staff. Acoustic Doppler Current Profiling System The ADCP method employs the acoustic Doppler technique to remotely measure vertical profiles of horizontal water currents from a moving vessel. The RD-VM Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler instrument (150 kHz) is used on the R/V THOMPSON. Water current profiles are remotely measured in up to 128depth cells (1 to 21 meter depth cell size) over a depth range of up to 400meters. In areas where the bottom depth is within the ADCP bottom tracking range, the sonar also directly measures earth referenced vessel velocity. Combination of these measurements allows computation of absolute (earth referenced) current profiles from an underway vessel without inputs from other navigation/velocity systems. A computer processes the profiler data in real time and, together with vessel attitude and heading data, produces vector averaged current profiles in earth referenced coordinates. Processed and/or raw ADCP data are logged on shipboard acquisition system. Data may also be graphically displayed in real time on the CRT or hard copy plotter. The data acquisition system software includes a menu driver user interface to allow operators to easily interact with the current measurement system via the keyboard/CRT. Acoustic Swath Mapping System The R/V THOMPSON is equipped with a Krupp-Atlas Hydrosweep swath mapping system which provides 59 values of the water depth over a swath width equal to twice the water depth. The depths are automatically corrected for changes in water sound speed. The system is operated by the marine technician and provides the user with a plot containing depth contours along the ship track, a real time color display of the depth contours and system parameters, and a magnetic tape of the data after merging with navigation data. Science parties will need to provide "watch standers" for the system. MB-system software is available on a SUN SPARC 5. We anticipate that a real time map making capability, which consists of a 30-inch color plotter, processing computer, and software to produce the maps, will be added at a later date. It is anticipated that heavy users of the swarth system will want to provide their own processing team.

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SECTION 2 Loading Operations The R/V THOMAS G. THOMPSON berths at the University's School of Oceanography Dock at the foot of 15th Avenue Northeast, Seattle. The dock area is easily accessible to trucks. There are two forklifts (4,000 and 5,000 pound capacities) available on the dock, in addition to the ship's heavy lift cranes. Should the ship's cranes be unable to handle a particularly heavy weight, the Port Captain will assist in arranging for commercial crane service.

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Support Services In homeport, the Manager of Marine Operations and staff will provide support services. At other UNOLS facilities, support will be provided through their shore support groups. Elsewhere, in foreign ports and sometimes in U.S. ports, ship's agents are retained. They commonly provide assistance in arranging for fuel and other consumables; repairs to both ship and scientific equipment; handling of shipments to and from the ship; and assistance to personnel leaving or joining the ship, including procuring hotel reservations or airline tickets or reservations. Names and addresses of the agents are available from the Manager of Marine Operations. Contacts with the ship's agent should be through the Manager of Marine Operations or the Master to avoid multiple contacts and possible confusion. The Chief Scientist must approve all agent assistance for the scientific party and ensure reimbursement to the University of Washington for all charges involved. Mail may be sent to embarked personnel in care of the R/V THOMPSON either through the Manager of Marine Operations or the ship's agent. Scientific programs that require the use of exotic or unique materials should be carefully reviewed prior to the cruise. Replenishment of supplies may be impossible in many ports and the ability to import such materials into foreign ports may be severely limited. Therefore, the scientist should ensure that adequate stocks of unique supplies are on board prior to departure from a U.S. port.

Back to Table of Contents Address for Shipments R/V THOMAS G. THOMPSON University of Washington Room G, Marine Sciences Building Seattle, WA 98195 Address for Incoming Mail c/o R/V THOMAS G. THOMPSON University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle, WA 98195 Telephone Numbers Manager of Marine Operations (206) 543-5062 Port Captain/Engineer (206) 543-5648 Fax: (206) 685-7181 Technical Services (206) 543-5186 FAX Number (206) 543-6073

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SECTION 3: SCHEDULING, PLANNING AND REPORTS Scheduling Scheduling for the R/V THOMAS G. THOMPSON will be on an annual basis. Normally, May 1 is the deadline for submitting ship time requests (see Appendix 1) for a research project planned for the following calendar year. Requests received after that date will be considered if ship time is available. Once a Chief Scientist has been assigned a block of time, he will be requested to submit a Ship Operating Plan (see Appendix 2) to the Manager of Marine Operations as soon as possible. The form should provide the information necessary to arrange for logistic support, ports of call, a ship's agent, ship's outfit, and any special equipment requirement. This form, as well as the Scientific Party List (Appendix 3), is used for preparing Sailing Orders to the Master. Requests for installation on board of any unusual equipment provided by the scientific party should be made as soon as the need is identified. We recommend that any Chief Scientist unfamiliar with the ship arrange for a brief tour on board when the vessel is in port to gain some familiarity with the layout of the scientific spaces. Detailed plans of lab layouts may be obtained from the Manager of Marine Operations.
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Financing Ship time of investigators with NSF research grants is charged to the NSF Ship Operations grant at the University of Washington. Other investigators should include ship costs in the budget of their research projects. The ship cost data can be obtained from the Manager of Marine Operations. Grants and contracts are charged at a use rate.
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Technicians Two technicians are normally assigned to each cruise to assist the Chief Scientist and his staff. The Technicians report to the Master but work with the scientific program staff. It is not intended that the Technicians be assigned to routine equipment operation or watchstanding, but rather that they provide an interface between shipboard facilities and scientific personnel. As time and other duties permit, the Technicians may be more closely involved in the scientific aspects of the program, thereby broadening their base of knowledge. The Technicians are responsible for the maintenance and repair of all onboard scientific equipment not supplied by the scientific program. The Technicians may assist in the maintenance and repair of equipment brought onboard by the scientific party if requested to do so by the scientist responsible for the instrument. However, any equipment that may require a high degree of electronic support should be supported by its own technician. As required, additional technical personnel can be provided on a recharge basis, e.g., in 1992 an additional technician was provided for JGOFS cruises to support CTD processing and calibration. The school has a chemical analysis group and available seagoing personnel with special expertise in routine chemical analyses (nutrients, salinity, oxygen, CHN). If required for pre-cruise preparation, electronic design and fabrication and machining services can be provided.
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User Fees Use of a number of capabilities entail user fees above and beyond the ship's day rate. The Port Captain should be consulted to obtain an estimate of costs for future cruises. As configured, the Hydrosweep system can be operated by the scientific party after necessary instruction by the marine technicians aboard the ship. The product is a contour map constructed with uncorrected navigation. This mode of operation is suitable for activities such as finding sites for coring and/or moorings. Any substantial use of the system for survey work requires a fee (we estimate that this rate will be $600/day for CY 1994) that recovers the costs of maintenance and service of the system. In addition, we also require that survey data be archived. This is done through an agreement with the Geological Data Center at Scripps. We anticipate the rate to be approximately $400/day for CY94. This fee covers preparation of standard archival plots, insertion of tracks into a computer data base, preparation of data required for submission to NGDC, and permanent archiving of the data. Through this agreement, personnel with special expertise in post-processing of swath mapping data can be provided by Scripps as required, with costs, approximately $400/day depending on the particular person sailing, charged to the scientific party. To an increasing extent, the scientific party is handling post-processing of data, and we make available on the ship the MBIO software package developed at LDEO. Much of the oceanographic instrumentation is maintained by the Pooled Equipment unit of Oceanography Technical Services, a cost center established to recover costs of repairing, maintaining, and calibrating shared-use instrumentation. Instrumentation in this category includes CTDs, rosettes, hydrographic bottles, and the single-channel seismic system. Deployment of acoustic transponder nets for use with the ship's dynamic positioning system. Use of the seismic air compressors. OSU maintains a piston coring facility on behalf of NORCOR. They should be consulted for information on costs and scheduling of this facility. See Appendix 4 for additional items available.
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Explosives The transport and use of explosives is strictly regulated by the U.S. Coast Guard. Any programs requiring the use of explosives must be coordinated well in advance with the Manager of Marine Operations.
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Hazardous Materials Programs requiring the use of hazardous materials, including all radioactive substances, shall be coordinated with the Manager of Marine Operations well in advance of the cruise. Scientists planning use of these materials should obtain copies of "Radioactive Material Handling Procedure aboard the R/V Thomas G. Thompson" (UW Marine Operations Instruction 5456.1) and/or "Hazardous Material Policy, Rules and Procedures, and Chemical Hygiene Plan for the R/VThomas G. Thompson (UW Marine Operations Instruction 5456.2). Written permission must be obtained from the School of Oceanography for the use of such material on board ship. Material requiring specialized handling or exposure will be severely restricted, both in its use and location on board. Permits that may be required for the acquisition, transport or use of hazardous substances shall be obtained by the Chief Scientist and copies provided to the Manager of Marine Operations. See Appendix 6 for the Application to Use Radioactive Material on Vessels (Form RSC13V and RSO Form 20). The forms must be submitted a minimum of 90 days in advance by the Principal Investigator to the Manager of Marine Operations who will initiate review within the School of Oceanography and by the UW Radiation Safety Officer.
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Diving Operations If diving is a scheduled part of the research activity, it shall be noted in the Ship Operating Plan and a separate detailed dive plan shall be submitted to the Manager of Marine Operations. Scientists planning diving should obtain a copy of "Diving Policy, Rules, and Procedures Aboard the R/V Thomas G. Thompson" (UW Marine Operations Instruction 5451.1). Divers who do not hold a current University of Washington diving qualification are required to have approval from the University of Washington Diving Safety Officer. Diving operations must be approved in advance.
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Foreign Clearance On cruises involving research in foreign territorial waters or on foreign continental shelves, clearance must be obtained from the appropriate government. A UNOLS Cruise Prospectus form (Appendix 7) must be submitted to the Manager of Marine Operations for transmission to the State Department as soon as possible after the cruise has been approved (Reference NTRVO #67). Because of the increasing difficulty in receiving timely clearances, it is imperative that foreign clearance requests be submitted well in advance of the planned cruise. Routine clearances require six to nine months lead time to process, and it is expected that even longer lead times will be required in the future. The State Department issues periodic notices on lead time requirements, and this information is normally available from the office of the Manager of Marine Operations. Some countries may require placing their scientific observers on board and/or the sharing of data collected in their territorial waters as a condition of the clearance. All costs incurred for this observer travel, subsistence, data duplication, etc., are the responsibility of the Chief Scientist. It is essential that all parties concerned understand the conditions placed on such clearances. The Chief Scientist must fully appreciate and honor the responsibilities inherent in these circumstances. Any changes to cruise plans after departure involving research in foreign territorial waters not previously cleared will not be approved under normal circumstances. The ship's Master is prohibited by School policy from conducting research other than in strict accordance with the terms of the foreign clearance.
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Customs and Immigration U.S. and foreign customs often present serious and delaying problems for both personnel and scientific equipment. It is the responsibility of the Chief Scientist and members of the scientific party to familiarize themselves with the pertinent regulations. The Chief Scientist has the responsibility of making all necessary arrangements for customs declarations and clearance for scientific equipment shipped to or from a foreign country. Assistance may be requested through the Manager of Marine Operations's Office and ship's agents in foreign ports. Costs incurred for shipping of scientific equipment, personal travel of scientific party, and ship's agent activity pertinent thereto will be borne by the Chief Scientist or the benefiting member of the scientific party. If such costs are charged by the Agent to the ship's account, they subsequently will be recharged to the appropriate Scientist. The ship's Master is the sole authority in processing and clearing the ship, as well as onboard personnel, through U.S. and foreign customs and immigration. No member of the scientific party or ship's operating crew may leave the ship prior to completion of customs and immigration clearance. In clearing U.S. and foreign customs and immigration, various forms are required to be filed by the Master. One of these forms is a Complement List, giving names, addresses, nationality, and next of kin for everyone on board, both scientific and operating personnel. The Master, in clearing customs and immigration, states under oath that this list is complete and accurate. Last minute changes to the onboard complement cannot be made after the clearance has been filed, except in extremely unusual or emergency conditions. Personnel failing to comply with the formalities required can seriously delay vessel clearance and also may not receive consideration when requesting support on future foreign cruises.
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Personnel Data Forms A Personnel Data Form (Appendix 8) must be completed for each member of the scientific party and returned to the Manager of Marine Operations prior to the ship's departure. This information is required in the event of an emergency and for customs and immigration purposes. In addition, on cruises to foreign waters, the Chief Scientist shall ensure that all members of the scientific party have the required passports, visas, tourist cards, and International Health Certificates. Information on immunization requirements is available from the Manager of Marine Operations office.
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Medical History Forms The R/V THOMAS G. THOMPSON subscribes to the services offered by Medical Advisory Systems, Inc. (MAS). In addition to providing the ship with an inventory of recommended medical supplies, MAS provides professional medical consultation in cases of medical emergencies at sea. To ensure that MAS has available to them the most complete medical history practicable, it is recommended that each member of the scientific party, who has not previously done so, complete an MAS Medical History Form (Appendix 9).
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Post Cruise Reports UNOLS Research Vessel Cruise Assessment (Appendix 10) The forms are to be filled out by the Chief Scientist and Master at the completion of the cruise. Its purpose is to provide information that will enable UNOLS to evaluate the performance of vessels in the fleet. It is, therefore, important that the form be completed frankly with constructive criticism or praise where deserved. UNOLS Cruise Report/Ship Utilization Data (Appendix 11) The Chief Scientist will be required to fill out this report in rough form immediately upon completion of the cruise and to mail it promptly to the Manager of Marine Operations so that he can complete and mail the final report to UNOLS and funding agencies within thirty (30) days. Radioactive Materials Report All spaces in which radioactive materials were used will be surveyed for contamination by the Principal Investigator prior to termination of the cruise. The wipes, together with forms RSO-180 "Report on Use of Radioactive Material on University of Washington Research Vessels" (Appendix 12) and RSO160 "Radioactive Material Delivery and Usage Record" (Appendix 13), will be given to the Master to be forwarded to the University of Washington Radiation Safety Office. Preliminary Cruise Report The Chief Scientist will be required to complete a Preliminary Cruise Report (Appendix 14) for all cruises involving foreign clearances. "Within thirty (30) days after completing a research cruise, the chief scientist must submit a Preliminary Cruise Report to the Research Vessel Clearance Officer at the Department of State" (reference NTRVO #66 Rev. 1).
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SECTION IV: ABOARD SHIP The sole purpose for operating a research vessel is to provide a seaborne platform from which scientists can accomplish oceanographic research. To assure that the research is conducted safely and with maximum probability of success, certain traditional laws of the sea and rules and regulations must be observed. Crucial to the success of any cruise is a clear understanding of the roles of the Master and the Chief Scientist.
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Authority of the Master By law, the Master of a vessel has the full and final responsibility for the safety of the ship and all personnel aboard. Because of this responsibility, he has full authority over all operations and personnel, both crew and scientific party. If circumstances require alterations in the cruise plan for safety or legal reasons, he shall keep the Chief Scientist apprised of matters affecting his decision. Irresolvable disagreements between the Master and the Chief Scientist shall be expeditiously referred to the School of Oceanography for resolution. However, in all decisions regarding safety, the Master's authority is absolute.
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Responsibility of the Chief Scientist One member of the scientific party will be designated Chief Scientist. This designation is required to provide a clean line of communication between the operating crew and the scientific party. This individual is responsible for not only for his own program but also for the projects of all scientists embarked. In addition, the personal conduct of the scientific party on board ship and ashore is under the purview of the Chief Scientist, under the overall supervision of the Master. The Chief Scientist should consult daily with the Master on the operational details of the total program. Authority for modifications to the cruise track within the general working area is contained in school policy documents and is stated in all sailing orders. The Chief Scientist and the Master shall discuss such changes in track, station location, or other deviations from the pre-cruise plan prior to their implementation. The Manager of Marine Operations shall be notified immediately of any major deviations in program accomplishment or in schedule.
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Prohibited Items The following are not permitted on board the R/V THOMAS G. THOMPSON: Alcoholic beverages Narcotics and other controlled substances Pets Firearms and non-folding sheath knives. Should someone purchase an alcoholic beverage, firearm or sheath knife in a foreign country, the item must be given into the custody of the Master until the purchaser debarks the vessel. A separate written policy on drugs and alcohol (Appendix 15) will be furnished to every prospective member of the scientific party prior to planned cruise dates. These must be signed and returned before permission will be granted to sail with the ship.
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Arrivals and Departures In homeport and on one day port calls in other ports, the scientific party will normally board the vessel at 0800 on the morning of departure; meals will be served commencing with lunch. The scientific party will normally debark prior to 1600 on the day of return to port. In special circumstances, and with prior approval of the Manager of Marine Operations, the scientific party may board the vessel on the night prior to sailing. Dinner will not be available but breakfast will be served on the morning of departure. When the vessel returns to port at night and it is reasonably necessary that the scientific party remain overnight, breakfast will be served the following morning provided that it is also being prepared for the crew. In ports, other than homeport, where the ship will remain there for two or more days, the scientific party may board after lunch on the day before sailing and must debark before lunch on the day after arrival. If the crew is not on the ship, then scientific berthing and messing will not be available. Special circumstances may require modification of these procedures. Cruise planners should consult with the Manager of Marine Operations in advance.
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Messing and Mess Facilities The mess area can accommodate thirty people at one sitting. Meals are served cafeteria style during hours posted on the bulletin board. The ending time of a meal indicates the time one should expect to finish�not to arrive in line. Do not loiter on the mess deck after eating as it may be necessary to have additional seatings. The galley refrigerator is stocked for snacks and night lunches after the evening meal. Nighttime users of the galley must properly dispose of all trash and leave the galley in an orderly condition. Suitable clothing will be worn at all meals. Shoes and shirts are mandatory. The ship represents a common home for scientific personnel and operating crew; simple courtesy dictates that conduct, including wearing apparel, be within acceptable standards.
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Refuse Disposal The ship complies with Annex V of MARPOL 73/78 which forbids the overboard discharge of all plastics and severely restricts all other overboard disposal. To aid in compliance, the R/V THOMPSON has an incinerator, a trash compactor, and garbage comminuter. No refuse shall be thrown overboard without the permission of the Master.
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Potable Water The potable water supply on board is limited in both rate of production and storage capacity. Therefore, all members of the scientific party are requested to conserve water at all times. This can be done by using water sparingly when showering and by laundering only when necessary and with full loads. The laundry is secured in port. All members of the scientific party should do their final laundry at least twelve hours before the ship reaches port. Water notices are posted on the bulletin board in the mess area.
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Berthing Facilities Each stateroom has berths for two scientists. Adjoining staterooms share a head and shower accessible from each room. Berthing assignments are made by the Chief Scientist. Clean sheets, pillowcases and towels are provided weekly in accordance with a schedule posted on the bulletin board. There is no steward service; scientists are responsible for keeping their quarters clean and orderly. Upon completion of the cruise, the departing scientists shall give their quarters a thorough cleaning so they will be habitable for the next occupants. With the exception of the Master, no one shall enter another's quarters when unoccupied or without express invitation of the occupant.
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Operating Spaces Members of the scientific party are encouraged to move about the ship and familiarize themselves with the operating spaces and procedures of the officers and crew. There are some restrictions to be observed with respect to the Engine Room and the Bridge areas. The Engine Room and auxiliary machinery spaces pose personnel hazards both in moving parts and noise. If a tour of machinery space is desired, the scientist should request a guided tour from the Chief Engineer. The Bridge area is the operating center for the ship and access is limited by law. Therefore, the Bridge shall not be entered without the express permission of the officer on watch. When not interfering with navigation, or when their presence is necessary as part of the observational program, permission will generally be granted to members of the scientific party to enter the Bridge or After Control Station. The Bridge equipment is for the use of watch personnel and shall not be monopolized by observers. When the ship is operating in restricted waters, reduced visibility, heavy traffic, or in docking and undocking, no observers are permitted except with permission of the Master.
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Safety Conducting research at sea is inherently dangerous. It is imperative that each individual be safety conscious at all times. Any situation or condition that might constitute a safety hazard shall be corrected at once either by the scientific party, if within their purview, or by reporting the condition to the watch officer on the bridge for further action. Each person should learn the locations and uses of all life rings, life jackets, and safety clothing. Work vests should be worn when working outside lifelines and bulwarks or on weather decks in heavy weather and hardhats and safety shoes when working with heavy or wireborne weights. Shower clogs, sandals, or bare feet will not be permitted on the working deck when operations are in progress. Stand clear of all wires, ropes and blocks that are under load or are moving; do not let yourself get caught between a moving object and a stationary part of the ship. Be aware of all activities going on while on deck. Be careful when passing through doorways and hatches. Keep fingers away from the knife edges of watertight doors. All doors and hatches must be secured either open on their hooks or completely closed and dogged. Doors shall never be allowed to swing freely with the roll of the ship. Swimming/diving is not permitted from the ship at any time unless it is part of the requirement of the science mission and has been approved by the Manager of Marine Operations. Permission must be requested from the Watch Officer each time before working aloft. The ship's motion makes working aloft hazardous, and radio/navigation equipment emitting RF and microwave energy is dangerous to human health. The ship can provide safety belts, which should be used whenever possible. Do not go up the masts unless you have a specific job to do and obtain prior authorization. Ship's tools are available to all personnel while at sea. They may be obtained by contacting the ship's Engineers or Watch Officer. Return all tools immediately after use. Consult the ship's crew if you wish to use a piece of equipment with which you are not familiar. Protect the ship from damage when handling gear.
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Reporting Injuries All injuries must be reported. The Master will insure that an "Accident-Injury or Occupational Illness Report Form" (UW-EH&S-1) is completed and forwarded promptly to Marine Operations. The Chief Scientist will assist in the preparation of the form when members of the scientific party are involved.
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Medical Facilities The Master and several members of the crew have first aid training. The ship has a sick bay and a medical locker under the control of the Master. The locker is stocked with common use items as recommended by the University of Washington medical authority and Medical Advisory Services, Inc. It is the responsibility of the Chief Scientist to determine if any member of the scientific party has any medical problem that would require special medications, precautions, or limitations. This information must be made available to the Master prior to sailing even if a Medical History form has been filed. Special medications are not normally stocked in the ship's medicine chest, and it is the responsibility of the individual scientists to provide these medicines. The Chief Scientist is discouraged from including personnel who have medical problems that cannot be supported easily in a shipboard environment. In the case of a medical emergency, the Master has the final responsibility and authority for courses of action, evacuation or cruise termination.
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Emergency Drills Fire and abandon ship drills are required by law and are held weekly. It is the responsibility of each member of the scientific party to become familiar with his assignment for each drill. These drills must be approached seriously as training in survival. All members of the scientific party will attend drills properly attired with hat, jacket, and life jacket as if the ship were to be abandoned. Members of the scientific party who are on watch may be excused from attending drills only if an interruption will jeopardize ongoing observations. The Master will, in any event, insure that all members of the entire complement are accounted for at each drill.
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Communications The ship has the capability for worldwide communications with SSB radiotelephones and radiotelegraphy: SATCOM-A for telephone, telex, data and facsimile, SATCOM-C for data, as well as VHF-FM radiotelephone and cellular phone for nearshore work. Phone calls can be made from the ship's office using major credit cards. Facsimile transmissions leaving the ship will be charged at $10 per page. Electronic mail is exchanged between the ship and shore once each day. This service is available to the scientific party on a recharge basis. In advance of a cruise the chief scientist should issue a purchase order to cover e-mail traffic for the science party. Accounts will be created for users authorized by the chief scientist and the chief scientist will be provided with a summary of use by each user at the end of the cruise. Both traffic to and from the ship is charged; to avoid unexpected expenses for the science party, messages to ship longer than 5 kbytes will be truncated. Transfer of larger files can be arranged on a case-by-case basis.
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Ship's Numbers SATCOM-A voice 011-872-150-5711 872 Pacific fax 011-872-150-6741 873 Indian Ocean 874 Atlantic (W) 871 Atlantic (E) SATCOM-C 430311610 CALL SIGN KTDQ CELLULAR 799-6547 E-MAIL SCI-XX @thompson.ocean.washington.edu (number assigned by bunk)
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Bridge Logs and Other Navigational Data Requests for copies of bridge logs, ship's tracks, or other information routinely logged by the vessel's watch officer should be made to the Master. If the ship's copier cannot be used, data will be copied when the vessel returns to homeport and forwarded to the Chief Scientist.
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Scientific Equipment All equipment left on board at the end of a cruise shall be properly secured prior to the departure of the scientific party. Equipment loaded for use on a cruise will likewise be secured. The Chief Mate has the responsibility for the deck and if, in his opinion, equipment is not properly secured for sea, the scientific party will be requested to add additional lashings.
APPENDICES
NSF-UNOLS Ship Time Request Form (Internet Form) Ship Operating Plan (Internet Form) Scientific Party List (Internet Form) Pooled Equipment Uniform Operations & Cost Accounting Terminology Application to Use Radioactive Material on Vessels UNOLS Cruise Prospectus Personnel Data Medical History UNOLS Research Vessel Cruise Assessment UNOLS Cruise Report/Ship Utilization Data Report on Use of Radioactive Material Radioactive Material Delivery and Usage Record Preliminary Cruise Report (for Foreign Cruises) Policy on Alcohol and Drugs
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