Science Party

R/V Thomas G. Thompson Operations Manual

Cruise Planning
What You Need To Know Before You Go

A Timeline of activities to coordinate with the Shipboard Science Support Group:

Very Long Lead Time (one year before the Cruise), complete and submit: R/V Thomas G Thompson

Ship Request Form

Long Lead Time (greater than 6 months before the Cruise):

Seek Foreign clearances to work in EEZs
Seismic profiling permitting applications and impact studies

120 days before the Cruise:

Cruise plan with operational areas, stations, etc.
Complete and submit the Science Party Pre-Cruise Agreement

60 days before the Cruise, complete and submit:

30 days before the Cruise, complete and submit:

14 days before the Cruise, complete and submit the following:

Scientific Cargo Manifest Form (includes equipment and gear shipped to the School prior to the cruise)
Ship's Berthing Plan
Watch the 22-minute RVOC Safety video
Read the required Chapter 1 from the UNOLS RVOC Safety Training Manual (no submission required)

Day of Cruise, be prepared to complete the following once on board:

Science Party Safety & Security Briefing Familiarization and Agreement Form

Upon Completion of the Cruise, complete and submit:

Post Cruise Assessment

For more detailed information, read the R/V Thomas G. Thompson Operations Manual

Summary of Drug & Alcohol Policy	To help ensure the safety and well-being of faculty, staff, students, and the general public, the school is committed to maintaining a shipboard environment that is free of illegal drugs and of drugs and alcohol that are used illegally. Accordingly, the school prohibits consuming of alcoholic beverages on a school vessel. The school also prohibits the unlawful possession, use, distribution, or manufacture of alcohol or controlled substances (as defined in Chapter 69.50 RCW) on school vessels. Violation of the school's alcohol and drug prohibitions is cause for disciplinary or other appropriate action.
Summary of Smoking Policy	In accordance with Washington State Clean Indoor Air Act, and because of the ship's fire protection alarm system sensitivity to smoke, smoking is not permitted within the ship.
Summary of footwear Policy	Proper closed toed and heeled footwear is required to be worn at all times on deck, in common areas or lab spaces without exception. No flip-flops or sandal style shoes shall be worn anywhere on the ship other than in the personal berthing rooms.
Summary of Security Policy	Science cargo will only be accepted aboard the ship if the Chief Scientist or their designees physically verifies that it is part of the group's expected shipment and that any seals placed on containers or crates are intact. Minimum of 5% of all Science Party member's baggage shall be identified and physically searched before being brought on board. All unaccompanied baggage shall be inspected and physically searched and the baggage's origin shall be verified upon being brought on board.
Summary of Hazardous Materials Policy	It is essential that the school be informed of the intent to use hazardous materials (HAZMAT) within 30 days of the cruise sailing date. The correct technical name and necessary identification of the material intended to be loaded must be properly labeled and placarded in accordance with the IMDG Code, CFRs and/or MARPOL 73/78. All HAZMAT must be packed, shipped and labeled separately. All HAZMAT must be manifested. All HAZMAT must include a Material Safety Data Sheet. IMPORTANT: There is NO storage facility at the school's dock for HAZMAT.
Summary of Radioisotope Policy	It is essential that the school be informed of the intent to use radioisotopes within 60 days of the cruise sailing date. The UW Environmental Health & Safety department will review the application and approve, limit or cancel any use of radioactive materials aboard a UW vessel. Formal applications must be submitted within 30 days of the cruise sailing date for consideration otherwise radioisotope use will not be authorized.
Exclusive Economic Zone	Cruise plans must be submitted 120 days prior to the cruise departure date. If any research is anticipated in the vicinity, but just outside of a foreign country's 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) then a detailed explanation must accompany the plan of how the determination was made that the EEZ would not be crossed.
Passports	All members of the Science Party must have a valid passport
Visas	All foreign nationals in the Science Party must have “multiple entry” visas.
US Customs Clearance	The United States Customs & Border Protection now requires that prior to LOADING any cargo (this includes science gear and gear used to perform scientific operations) on the ship when it is loaded in a foreign port and bound for a US port, an electronic manifest declaring the cargo must be sent to the agency through our shipping agent. Therefore, all scientific cargo manifests must be sent to the US School of Oceanography 14 days prior to the cruise loading (mobilization) date.
Fees: Agents, Pilots, etc.	The UW School of Oceanography will pay certain fees associated with the normal, routine operations of the ship. All other fees deemed outside normal operations by the Manager, Marine Operations may be the responsibility of the Chief Scientist.