Cruise Planning Time Line

A timeline of activities to coordinate with the Marine Operations Staff and Shipboard Science Support Group

Very Long Lead Time (at least one year before the Cruise):

Complete and submit a Ship Request Form to NSF

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

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

At least 120 days before the Cruise:

Meet with the Marine Operations team for an initial cruise planning meeting, either in person or by a telephone or Zoom conference call . The SSSG Supervisor will schedule the meeting with the Chief Scientist and the science party and, at the same time, send the Chief Scientist an invitation to the UNOLS Online Cruise Planner (https://cruiseplanner.unols.org/) for their particular cruise.

Note concerning mobilization and equipment onload planning: If you are mobilizing at the UW dock, please go to UW Port Information. The dock is small and does not allow parking. Onloads need advance plannning to ensure trucks and cranes are coordinated. The Port Engineer is in charge of the dock. For the equipment shipping information, go to Directions, School of Oceanography.

If you are onloading in a different port, you may use our agent or arrange your own. Questions and details about your mobilization can be discussed during your initial cruise planning meeting and included in the online planner.

At least 60 days before the Cruise, complete and submit:

At least 30 days before the Cruise, complete and submit:

Complete the Online Cruise Planner for your cruise, including making sure that all of your science party has completed their registration for the cruise.
The Chief Scientist and science party leads should complete all sections of the Questionnaire which asks for information about your cruise moblization and how your science party intends to utilize the science systems on board the vessel. A cruise plan with operational areas, stations, etc. should also be completed and uploaded to the online planner.
Science Hazardous Material Policy Agreement
HAZMAT should be entered into the Online Cruise Planner by any member of the science party who will be bringing hazardous material on board the vessel.
Review "What you need to know before deploying on a UW RV", and pass along to your science party. Note the minimum required reading of UNOLS RVSS Chapter 1.
Have ALL science party members watch the UNOLS Civility at Sea video.

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

Science Equipment Manifest (includes equipment and gear shipped to the School or to the mobilization port of call prior to the cruise)
Ship's Berthing Plan

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