R/V Fay Slover is a 55' LOA, 17' 7'' beam, all-aluminum research vessel, fully equipped, technologically advanced, and brings a new oceanographic research capability to the Hampton Roads region. Built in 2002 at Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding in Somerset, MA, Fay Slover is designed to conduct estuarine and coastal research with near 15 knot speed, capable of conducting sophisticated oceanographic research anywhere in the lower Chesapeake Bay or out to the continental shelf edge and returning to home port all in one day.
R/V Fay Slover is Coast Guard inspected as a "T-boat," passenger vessel for hire, 100 Gross Tons or less. USCG also recognizes that Old Dominion University has designated Fay Slover as an "oceanographic research vessel", and as such conforms to certain additional specific Coast Guard requirements, assuring a high standard of condition and performance.
Although equipped with berthing for 6, Fay Slover is considered a day boat and requires a second crew for operations exceeding 12 hours, according to Coast Guard regulations.
Day cruises usually are most comfortably accommodated with a scientific complement of 10 or less, however, some short student cruises can accommodate over twice that number. The Coast Guard authorizes up to 49 passengers based on rail space, and life jackets are carried for that many.
The main salon has a galley and a settee with table, toilet facilities with shower, and wet and dry lab space. One corner of the lab space is devoted to electronics and the underway recording system. Scientific personnel are welcome in all areas except the engine room, steering lazarette, and forward hold. The pilothouse is available to visitors, as permitted by the Captain, when not in maneuvers or on station.
Responsibilities (source, UNOLS)
- Captain
By law, the captain of the vessel has the final responsibility for the safety and sanitation of the vessel and all persons aboard. Because of this he is also given the final responsibility over all operations and personnel, both crew and scientists, aboard. He or she may terminate an operation that he or she considers a hazard to the vessel, the vessel's equipment or embarked personnel. Though the captain's authority is absolute, he or she and the crew are there solely to assist in carrying out the scientific work.
- Chief Scientist
One member of the science party will be designated as the chief scientist for each cruise and will be responsible for the coordination of the entire scientific mission of the cruise. This includes pre-cruise planning and post-cruise follow up, supervising the scientific party onboard in maters of compliance with shipboard policies, safety, personnel, and exchange of information with the captain. When at sea, the chief scientist will consult with the captain regarding the progress of the scientific work, changes in the operational plan, assistance or any other action required to aid in the success of the scientific mission. The chief scientist will work with the captain to coordinate the activities of the marine technician(s). The chief scientist will review the general shipboard safety requirements. He or she will be responsible for all hazardous materials and chemicals that the science party brings aboard the vessel, and will notify the captain in advance of plans to bring such materials and chemicals aboard.
The chief scientist will develop the cruise plan that includes the equipment required, personnel to be involved, schedule, and station locations. He or she will discuss the operations with the captain and crew. The captain and chief scientist will jointly consider decisions affecting the safety and science. In general, they will choose a course of action together. In those situations where they do not agree, the captain's decision will take precedence. Ship time is valuable, and it is an important part of the job to see that the allotted time is used efficiently.
She or he will provide the captain with a scientific crew list (with emergency contact numbers, if possible) prior to noon of the day before sailing. This will also provide NOAA Base Security the opportunity for review (see Home Port, below).
The chief scientist will file a cruise report with the marine superintendent within one month after the cruise.
- The Scientific Party
The smooth operation of the science program requires continuing good communications between science and the ship's personnel. It is important that all personnel on watch are well informed. Give the captain as much advance notice as possible regarding station coordinates. NEVER put any gear over the side without first consulting the bridge. If a problem having to do with the scientific program arises during a watch, no matter what the hour is, call the chief scientist or whomever has been designated as in charge. Lab space on most cruises is cramped. Keep your assigned space clean and do not spread out into the space of others without their consent. Keep your equipment secured to the bench or deck at all times in case of unexpected foul weather or abrupt ship maneuvers.
- Marine Superintendent
Since Fay Slover is frequently deployed, and the ship's crew is not readily available to discuss operations, the marine superintendent should be the first point of contact regarding project cruises. His or her primary responsibilities include scheduling, budgeting, billing, and coordination of research projects/ship repairs, and media/VIP activities. Many general aspects of cruise operations can be resolved through the marine superintendent, with ultimate concurrence by the captain, whereas the details of onboard activities and the day-to-day planning would have to be discussed and determined by the captain and chief scientist directly.
The marine superintendent is also responsible for the Department's small boats, including the determination of qualified operators.
Home Port
Fay Slover is berthed at the NOAA Marine Operations Center, Atlantic, at 439 W. York Street, Norfolk, VA, and is home port for several NOAA research vessels, including the Thomas Jefferson and the Rude.
The base Deputy Director, a NOAA Corps Captain, is the residing Officer-In-Charge. Administrative offices include Operations, Marine Engineering, Mission Support, and Facilities. Old Dominion University also has an office on the second floor above the warehouse, telephone number 757-441-6784.
As a federal enclave, security requires a list of names for the scientific parties entering the base by at least by noon of the previous day of a cruise. The list of science party personnel is also the basis of the float plan filed by the captain the morning of departure. Names should be submitted by email to Patrick Curry (pcurry@odu.edu), Billy Giocondo (bgiocond@odu.edu) or Laura Gibson (llgibson@odu.edu) fax (757-314-2339). Failure to provide the list in sufficient time for review by base personnel and submission to the gate guards can result in forfeiture of the cruise.
Parking at NOAA MOC is limited, particularly when NOAA ships are berthed there. Policy is that vehicles may not be left at the base during cruises except by permission from the NOAA facilities manager, Robert Lundy. NOAA Operations states, "Facilities should have a copy of vehicle keys for any vehicle left overnight in the lot...at night, on weekends or holidays, a key can be left with the security guard in an envelop marked for Facilities. Arrangements should be made, if possible, for cruise participants to be dropped off and picked up after the cruise."
While pierside, Fay Slover is connected to 208 VAC, 3-phase shore power. Internet/television service and fresh water is available from pierside, as well.
Rates and Payment
Following is a summary of Fay Slover rates, as of July 2007. (also see here):
$225/hr, 4-hr min, up to $2100/12 hrs
Operations beyond 12 hours will be assessed at the normal operating rate of $225/hr, (plus the costs required for additional crew).
$1000/day fee will be charged for Weather down-days away from home port
Vessel staging requiring crane operation charges will be added to the cost of the cruise.
Expenses incurred by the vessel's crew while away from home port will be added to the overall cost of the cruise. These charges include but are not limited to the following:
Dockage fees
Lodging fees
Meals (not to exceed the governmental per diem rate for locality)
Vehicle rental
A cancellation fee of $700 per day will be charged, if the user cancels a scheduled cruise with less than two weeks notice.
Payments are to be arranged with the marine superintendent and may involve transfer of Old Dominion University Research Foundation account funds, procurement cards, purchase orders, or other means.
Scheduling
The vessel schedule is posted on the following website for reference in selecting requested dates: http://my.calendars.net/slover_schedule
Requests for cruise time aboard Fay Slover begin with either direct submission of the "Request for Vessel Time" form available from the Fay Slover website or by contacting the marine superintendent, who will schedule the cruise(s), if feasible, as near as possible to the requested date(s). Timely submission of "Request for Vessel Time" is understandably important, and must be submitted no less than one month in advance of the cruise, if possible. Requests submitted on shorter notice will be accommodated as is feasible around previously scheduled cruises and necessary in-port maintenance days. Usually, when there are conflicting cruise requests for the same date(s), mutually agreeable adjustments are made to the satisfaction of all parties, however, as a last resort the final priority goes to the first submitted request. Cancellations are not charged unless ODU has incurred costs in the staging preparations, which are then chargeable to the science project.
Requests for cruise time in excess of 12 hours for any one cruise, dock to dock, require a complete crew replacement. Since significant logistics are involved, proposals for cruises in excess of 12 hours must be submitted with at least 3 months lead time and must be reviewed by the marine superintendent, the captain, and the Marine Operations Committee before scheduling.
Operating Policy
- Normal Operating Region
Fay Slover's normal operating region will be lower Chesapeake Bay, south of the Maryland border and offshore south of 37º 20' N Latitude, north of 36º 30' N Latitude, and inshore of the Chesapeake Bay Light Tower, approximately 075º 40' W Longitude. Other areas of operations will be considered only after consultation with the captain, marine superintendent and ODU ship committee. (See comments on offshore operations).
- Duration
With the standard crew of two deck officers, R/V Fay Slover is limited to 12 hour operations, pier to pier. Longer durations are available with a crew exchange. Night operations will require an additional bridge lookout. Cruises longer than 12 hours need to be planned well in advance with consultations with the captain, marine superintendent and ODU Marine Operations Committee
- Offshore
Fay Slover is capable of running out to the Gulf Stream and back in a day's run, with good weather and sea conditions (see criteria below).
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Winds less than 15 knots and seas less than 3 feet are forecast with a high degree of confidence over a period of 48 hours spanning the sampling period. If an overnight cruise is conducted, in general, Fay Slover prefers to operate within an hour's run from safe haven during the hours of sunset to sunrise.
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Below are two NOAA plots of historical wind speeds and wave heights at Chesapeake Light which suggest probability windows in which Fay Slover might be able to operate:
Scientists writing proposals requiring operations outside the above situations should consult with the marine superintendent for approval prior to the submission of the proposal.
Cruise Plans/Projection Instructions
- When to submit cruise plans
The filled-out "Request for Vessel Time" form, submitted at least a month in advance of the cruise usually suffices as the plan for most cruises. Operations proposing to run over 12 hours dock-to-dock must also be reviewed by the Marine Operations Committee and should be submitted at least 3 months prior. The cruise plan should include geographic positions for oceanographic stations and/or cruise tracks, and chartlets showing coordinates, running times, etc. Projects involving multiple days, particularly away from home port, may require more supplementary information.
For first-time project cruises, a meeting with the chief scientist, the ship's crew, and the marine superintendent is usually in order, at which time over-the-side operations are discussed and generally resolved.
Operations that impact activity in vessel traffic lanes or concentrated vessel activity (e.g., fishing) usually require a Notice to Mariners filed with the Coast Guard. If notified within two weeks of the cruise, the NTM can be generated and submitted by the marine superintendent.
- Equipment/staging
Ship's equipment as listed on the "Request for Vessel Time" form is available for use on cruises. Project equipment to be brought aboard will be approved by the captain prior to staging for the cruise. Proposals for gear that requires material alteration of the ship's existing configuration, i.e., that which may impact Coast Guard certification, must be submitted at least one month prior to the cruise for review. In general, the existing capabilities of the ship will be considered first priority for over-the-side operations in order to meet the sampling requirements of the project. In any event, the captain will have the final word in the decision to use any specific project equipment.
Project equipment will be maintained by the scientific party technical support, assisted as available by ODU marine technicians as requested by the chief scientist. Excess project equipment needing to be left temporarily ashore can be left in the 8' x 12' ODU storage container behind Building #2 on base.
Staging at NOAA may or may not require the ship's crew, however the names of the science party needed on base for that purpose must be submitted ahead of time for base clearance. A NOAA-operated crane is available for loading equipment and gear aboard or ashore if sufficient notice is given. Time required by ship's personnel for project staging will be charged to the project if more that 2 hours, at the regular vessel rate of $150/hour, 4-hr minimum (note rate change effective July 1, 2007).
Transportation to and from the vessel when away from home port will, in general, be provided for the crew by OEAS Operations. The chief scientist should make similar arrangements for project personnel.
Safety and Onboard Policy
In the event of an onboard emergency (fire, collision, man overboard, etc.) word will be passed and all personnel will be instructed in which area to muster, the foredeck, afterdeck, or main salon. Lifejackets are available in the overhead compartment under the aft canopy and also in the bin under the pilothouse settee. For "man overboard," the rescue boat on the foredeck may be deployed, along with the Jacob's Cradle in the overhead bin under the canopy, and the crew are practiced in the recovery procedures.
The following is a list of onboard do's and don'ts:
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DO stop engaging in conversation and listen to ANY instructions from the captain or mate.
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DO NOT climb, disconnect, or sit on the outside deck rails.
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DO NOT put any objects in the marine toilet that do not belong there.
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DO ask permission from the captain before entering the pilothouse. Be aware that while on-station and during maneuvers that the captain's attention is necessarily focused on ship operations, radio communications, etc., and it may be an inappropriate time for pilothouse visitors.
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DO NOT discard anything over the side.
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DO NOT deploy any gear over the side without getting permission from the captain or mate.
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DO NOT climb on top of the aft deck canopy.
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DO wear hard hat and a work vest, provided by the ship, when instructed by the crew, particularly when working on deck with gear hoisted overhead or in rough weather.
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DO inform the crew or chief scientist if you are feeling sea sick. For mild cases, going out on deck is frequently a cure. If you are sick overboard, make all attempts to go to the leeward (downwind) side of the ship.
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DO inform the crew or chief scientist if you incur any injury, small or otherwise, so first aid can be applied and the captain can evaluate the need to return to port, if necessary.
Reports
At the completion of each cruise, the captain and the chief scientist will sign a Cruise Verification Form, which specifies the departure and arrival times for billing purposes.
In addition, the chief scientist should fill out a Chief Scientist Report, available from the Fay Slover website, and submit it to the marine superintendent. This report is helpful in making constructive changes to any operational procedures for the betterment of future cruises.
