Great Lakes Panel: Research, Resources and Infrastructure
October 27, 2011 Washington, DC Consortium for Ocean
Leadership
Slide 2
Great Lakes Research Vessels Shared 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
Slide 3
Vessel Statistics 82 Research Vessels Currently Active in the
Great Lakes 64 U.S., 18 Canada Average Age: 28 years (U.S.), 26
years (Canada) Years
Slide 4
Vessel Locations Source: Great Lakes Association of Science
Ships www.CanAmGlass.org www.CanAmGlass.org
Slide 5
No Typical Great Lakes Research Vessel
Slide 6
Federal, Provincial & State Vessels
Slide 7
University Research Vessels
Slide 8
Vessels of Opportunity & Commercial Vessels
Slide 9
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 old
Slide 10
New OMNR, USGS, Wisconsin and Michigan Research Vessels
Slide 11
Education and Outreach Programs
Slide 12
Extended Cruise OffshoreLifting Large/ Heavy Towed Instru-
ments Dive Support Survey Mapping Near shore Event response Range
Multi- disciplined Sea state Ice Buoys Moorings Trawls Sonar
PSS/OPC Tech Diving Hydro Sub- bottom Event response Support
Traditional Sampling Provide for Emerging Technologies Automated
Vessel Observations Support Great Lakes Observing System Test bed
for new sensors Multi-Mission Capabilities
Slide 13
Future Great Lakes Vessel Operations Address the need for a new
Small Research Vessel Develop strategic plans for: Vessel and field
equipment renewal State of the art science gear / vessel
integration Automated observations Evaluation of emerging
technologies Best utilization of shore facilities Marine technology
leadership Integrate with other agencies and partners to develop
modern and sustainable fleet INTEGRATED GREAT LAKES
Slide 14
Questions to Consider Who 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?