Consortium for Ocean Leadership

Great Lakes Panel: Research, Resources and InfrastructureOctober 27, 2011Washington, DCConsortium for Ocean Leadership

Great Lakes Research VesselsShared U.S. - Canadian inland sea of 94,000 square miles surface area with a wide variety of field conditions Lakes vary from deep oligotrophic to shallow and highly eutrophic, with everything in between.Very Few Winter Ice Operations

Vessel Statistics82 Research Vessels Currently Active in the Great Lakes64 U.S. , 18 CanadaAverage Age: 28 years (U.S.), 26 years (Canada)

Years

Vessel LocationsSource: Great Lakes Association of Science Ships www.CanAmGlass.orgNo Typical Great Lakes Research Vessel

Federal, Provincial & State Vessels

University Research Vessels

Vessels of Opportunity & Commercial Vessels Examples of Old Vessels Still in Operation

R/V Grayling 34 years old

R/V Hack Noyes 65 years old

R/V LL Smith Jr. 61 years old

R/V Atigamayg 53 years old

R/V Neeskay 58 years oldNew OMNR, USGS, Wisconsin and Michigan Research Vessels

USGS - American Recovery Act Funded 10

Education and Outreach Programs Extended CruiseOffshoreLiftingLarge/HeavyTowedInstru-mentsDive SupportSurvey MappingNear shoreEvent responseRangeMulti-disciplinedSea stateIceBuoysMooringsTrawlsSonarPSS/OPCTech DivingHydroSub-bottomEvent responseSupport Traditional Sampling Provide for Emerging Technologies

Automated Vessel Observations

Support Great Lakes Observing System

Test bed for new sensorsMulti-Mission Capabilities

Future Great Lakes Vessel OperationsAddress the need for a new Small Research VesselDevelop strategic plans for:Vessel and field equipment renewal State of the art science gear / vessel integrationAutomated observationsEvaluation of emerging technologiesBest utilization of shore facilitiesMarine technology leadershipIntegrate with other agencies and partners to develop modern and sustainable fleet

INTEGRATEDGREAT LAKES 13Questions to ConsiderWho really cares about the condition of the fleet?

How do we simplify/ standardize processes?

How can we be more strategic and effective?

How do we elevate and expand understanding and support?

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