Plan an Expedition
Preparing for a seagoing expedition involves many months (often years) of planning. There are many forms and documents to prepare; there are many criteria to be met and logistical issues to sort out; there are even issues of personal preparation. The most successful research cruises are typically the ones that are planned early, with an awareness of both the big picture and the fine details.
Proposal Preparation
It is important for potential users to discuss their requirements with NDSF personnel listed below and/or in the CONTACTS section, early in the proposal preparation process. In the meantime, we strongly encourage potential users to read the UNOLS cruise planning guideline page.
Alvin Cruise Planning
Once your cruise is funded and scheduled, chief scientist and expedition leader(s) from NDSF vehicle operations team will become points of contact.
Chief Scientist
- The chief scientist is the primary point of contact for NDSF personnel to become familiar with the objectives of the cruise. It is therefore of the utmost importance that the Chief Scientist establish a good line of communication early in the planning process to ensure that the appropriate actions are taken by the operational group. The first contact may be with the Chief Scientist of Deep Submergence, but subsequent information flow is primarily with the Expedition Leader of the vehicle programs.
- For HOV Alvin cruises, please file cruise objectives via the Cruise Planning Questionnaire at an early stage in cruise preparations
Expedition Leader
- Works with the Chief Scientist through the NDSF operations coordinators to gain a full understanding of the cruise objectives
- For ROV Jason and AUV Sentry cruises, communicate with Chief Scientist to set up the first dive planning meeting.
- For HOV Alvin operations, ensures that all of the science objectives listed on the Questionnaire are addressed and understood
- Formal at-sea liaison between the Chief Scientist and operations team
Pre-Cruise Communications with Vehicle Programs
- Follow up any action items from the pre-cruise meeting
- Intended to establish formal dialogue about cruise-specific engineering and data requirements
- Can be held at WHOI with the Chief Scientist and operational team and/or via conference call
- Minimally, the meeting is held three months prior to a cruise.
During Cruise
"Tips for going to sea" is available here.
Please provide any feedback to the Expedition Leader regarding operations related concerns.
Post Cruise
Please fill out and submit vehicle specific Post Cruise Assessment Form (PCAR) via UNOLS page.
Cruise Planning Timeline
| Advance Time (before departure) |
Task | Role | Relevant Link | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-18 months | Cruise Scheduling | Prospective Investigator | Scheduling | Kerry Strom Marine Ops. (508) 289-3938 kstrom@whoi.edu |
| Alvin 6 months |
Cruise Planning Questionnaire | Chief Scientist/PI | Cruise Planning Questionnaire | Bruce Strickrott NDSF (508) 289-3860 strickrott@whoi.edu |
| Jason 4-6 months |
Pre-Cruise Conference Call & Meeting for dive planning | Chief Scientist/PI | Matthew Heintz NDSF (508) 289-3426 mheintz@whoi.edu Anna Michel |
|
| Sentry 4-6 months |
Pre-Cruise Conference Call & Meeting for dive planning | Chief Scientist/PI | Sean Kelley NDSF (508) 289-4871 skelley@whoi.edu Anna Michel |
|
| Jason (Initial advance time) |
Overall Logistics | Chief Scientist/PI and/or Science Party |
Matthew Heintz NDSF (508) 289-3426 mheintz@whoi.edu |
|
| Sentry (Initial advance time) |
Overall Logistics | Chief Scientist/PI and/or Science Party |
Sean Kelley NDSF (508) 289-4871 skelley@whoi.edu |
|
| Jason (Initial advance time) |
Hazardous Material | Chief Scientist/PI and/or Science Party |
Hazardous Material & Port Logistics for Vehicle Operations | Kevin Kavanagh NDSF (508) 289-2995 kkavanagh@whoi.edu |
The National Deep Submergence Facility is sponsored by the National Science Foundation, the Office of Naval Research, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.