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.

 

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.

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.

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.

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/V Thomas 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. The Application to Use Radioactive Material on Vessels (Form RSC13V and RSO Form 20) 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.

 

In addition to the above forms, a daily use Form 160 and end-of-cruise Form 180 must be completed during the cruise.

 

All users loading hazardous materials aboard the R/V Thomas G. Thompson must fill out a Hazardous Material Inventory sheet. Users must supply MSDS sheets for all materials and supply BOTH spill response materials and an Emergency / Spill Response Plan. This Plan should list the hazards each chemical presents and the appropriate actions required to address and contain spills or accidents. These documents must be hand-delivered to the Lead Marine Technician onboard the ship for your cruise as well as sent to Marine Operations.