Report of NOAA’s Ship Platform Requirements FY 2003 – FY 2012 1 Briefing for NOAA’s Hydrographic Services Review Panel ________________ Briefing by Captain

1

Report of NOAA’s Ship Platform RequirementsFY 2003 – FY 2012

Briefing for NOAA’s

Hydrographic Services Review Panel

________________

Briefing by

Captain Stephen H. Manzo, NOAA (Ret.)

Executive Officer, NOAA Marine Operations Center

July 29, 2004

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Purpose of This Briefing:

• Present overview of Report of NOAA’s Ship Platform Requirements FY 2003 – FY 2012 to NOAA’s Hydrographic Services Review Panel

• Internal NOAA report – Begun August 2002; Completed May 2003; Currently being updated

• Copy of original report located at:

http://205.156.48.106/00003389/00021d31.pdf

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Background:

•Why? -- Response to DUS Scott Gudes’ Memo of July 30, 2002: Request for Report of NOAA’s Platform Requirements

• What? -- 10-Year Analysis of NOAA’s Ship Platform Requirements and Recommendations on How Best to Fulfill the Requirements

• Who? -- NMAO with input from and in coordination with the NOAA Line Offices

• How? – Based on Ship Platform Requirements as identified by NOAA Line Offices

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Background:

• Report was fast-tracked – 3 month deadline for initial submission to VADM Lautenbacher

• Copy provided to U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy

• Report briefed to NOAA Science Advisory Board

• Otherwise, it has been primarily used as an internal NOAA plan during the past 12- 18 months -- to help guide decisions regarding the NOAA fleet

• Please note that all items recommended in this Report are not necessarily included in NOAA’s current programming or budget request

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Six Mission Areas:

1) fisheries surveys and science

2) nautical charting/hydrographic surveys

3) blue water oceanography, climate and weather services

4) coastal oceanography

5) ocean exploration

6) homeland security

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Assumptions:

1) NOAA’s Line Office reviews and documentation of ship platform requirements are valid

2) NOAA will meet its ship platform requirements using an appropriate mix of outsourcing and NOAA-owned and operated ships

3) Money will be tight and NOAA must be cost effective; conversion of surplus Navy vessels is a cost effective option for meeting NOAA’s ship platform requirements

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Common Definition/Performance Metric:

• Operating Day - “A day when a ship is not at its home port and is available for service”

• Consistent with the way days are expressed in the academic fleet and private sector

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Useful Service Life and Average Age:

• Report assumes a “Useful Service Life” of 30 years for NOAA ships – consistent with the UNOLS academic research fleet plan

• Based on 30 year useful service life, Report recommends NOAA set an “Average Age” goal of 15 years for the NOAA fleet – with ships ranging from 0 – 30 years

• For a NOAA fleet of ~20 ships, this implies a long-term, replacement strategy of ~ one ship every 18 months.

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Defining and Documenting Requirements:

• Two Mission Areas – Fisheries Surveys and Science and Nautical Charting/Hydrographic Surveys – have well-documented, recent studies and reports on ship platform/data acquisition requirements that were reviewed and updated for this report

• Two Mission Areas – “Blue Water” Oceanography and “Coastal” Monitoring and Assessment had requirements documented in FRAM Report, September 1990, that were reviewed and updated for this report

• Two Mission Areas – Ocean Exploration and Homeland Security – reviewed and defined their requirements for this report

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FY 2003 Ship Platform Requirements

• 12,200* Operating Days – total requirement for all mission areas.

4,680 Operating Days – 38% of requirement – to be met by Outsourcing.

3,670 Operating Days – 30% of requirement – to be met by NOAA fleet of 15 ships.

3,830 Operating Days – 32% of requirement – expected to be unmet for FY 2003.

* Does not include NOS contracts for Hydrographic Data

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NOAA Ship Platform Utilization during the Past Decade-- Significant Changes in NOAA’s Business Practice.

NOAA's Ship Platform UtilizationFY 1992 - FY 2002

01,0002,0003,0004,0005,0006,0007,0008,0009,000

FY1992

FY1993

FY1994

FY1995

FY1996

FY1997

FY1998

FY1999

FY2000

FY2001

FY2002

Op

erat

ing

Day

s

TOTAL

NOAA Fleet

Outsourcing

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NOAA’s Ship Platform Requirements and Plan for the Next Decade

NOAA's Ship Platform Requirements FY 2003 - FY 2012

02,0004,0006,0008,000

10,00012,00014,00016,000

FY 200

3

FY 200

4

FY 200

5

FY 200

6

FY 200

7

FY 200

8

FY 200

9

FY 201

0

FY 201

1

FY 201

2

Op

erat

ing

Day

s

Total Ship PlatformRequirements

Requirements needed tobe met by Outsourcing

Requirements projected tobe met by Outsourcing inFY 2003Requirements projected tobe met by NOAA Ships

Requirements to be metby Method TBD

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FY 2012 Ship Platform Requirements

• 14,500 Operating Days – total requirement for all mission areas – 19% increase from FY 2003.

• Recommended Approach/Solution:

7,980 Operating Days – 55% of requirement – to be met by Outsourcing.

5,350 Operating Days – 37% of requirement – to be met by NOAA fleet of 18 ships.

1,140 Operating Days – 8% of requirement/ up to 6 ship-years remaining To Be Determined.

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Performance Schedule:

Fiscal Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012Fisheries Surveys and Science 6,244 5,787 5,772 5,742 5,323 5,034 4,745 4,976 4,947 4,947Nautical Charting/Hydrographic Surveys N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/ABlue Water Oceanography, Climate and Weather 263 270 410 560 620 660 660 660 660 660Coastal Oceanography 1,419 1,447 1,591 1,571 1,571 1,671 1,671 1,671 1,671 1,671Ocean Exploration 350 350 350 500 500 500 500 700 700 700Subtotal Requirements Met by Outsourcing 8,276 7,854 8,123 8,373 8,014 7,865 7,576 8,007 7,978 7,978

Fiscal Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012Fisheries Surveys and Science 1,936 2,393 2,408 2,568 2,987 3,146 3,435 3,334 2,944 2,944Nautical Charting/Hydrographic Surveys 730 1,030 1,280 1,280 1,280 1,280 1,280 1,280 1,280 1,280Blue Water Oceanography, Climate and Weather 464 487 573 579 464 549 503 549 503 549Coastal Oceanography 400 468 468 471 471 471 471 471 471 471Ocean Exploration 144 121 81 75 190 105 151 105 151 105Subtotal Requirements Met by NOAA Ships 3,674 4,499 4,810 4,973 5,392 5,551 5,840 5,739 5,349 5,349

Fiscal Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012Fisheries Surveys and Science 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 289 289Nautical Charting/Hydrographic Surveys N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/ABlue Water Oceanography, Climate and Weather 225 335 397 359 433 395 445 395 445 395Coastal Oceanography 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Ocean Exploration 0 158 477 483 368 453 407 453 407 453Subtotal Requirements Met by Method TBD 225 493 874 842 801 848 852 848 1,141 1,137

Fiscal Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012Fisheries Surveys and Science 8,180 8,180 8,180 8,310 8,310 8,180 8,180 8,310 8,180 8,180Nautical Charting/Hydrographic Surveys 730 1,030 1,280 1,280 1,280 1,280 1,280 1,280 1,280 1,280Blue Water Oceanography, Climate and Weather 952 1,092 1,380 1,498 1,517 1,604 1,608 1,604 1,608 1,604Coastal Oceanography 1,819 1,915 2,059 2,042 2,042 2,142 2,142 2,142 2,142 2,142Ocean Exploration 494 629 908 1,058 1,058 1,058 1,058 1,258 1,258 1,258Total Outsourcing, NOAA Ships and TBD 12,175 12,846 13,807 14,188 14,207 14,264 14,268 14,594 14,468 14,464

N/A - Nautical Charting/Hydrographic Surveys contracts for square nautical miles of hydrographic survey data, rather than for "operating days".

Performance Schedule -- Meeting Projected Ship Platform/Operating Day Requirements for NOAA Programs -- FY 2003 - FY 2012

Requirements Met by Outsourcing (Operating Days)

Requirements Met by NOAA Ships (Operating Days)

Total Requirements (Operating Days)

Requirements Met by Method TBD (Operating Days)

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Projected Service Life & Replacement Schedule of NOAA Ships (May 2003):

Ship Year

Launched

TOWNSEND CROMWELL 1963DAVID STARR JORDAN 1964ALBATROSS IV 1962DELAWARE II 1967 Remove from Service/Replaced by FSV3

OREGON II 1967MILLER FREEMAN 1968JOHN N.COBB 1950GORDON GUNTER 1989OSCAR ELTON SETTE 1988OSCAR DYSON (FSV1) 2004FSV2 2005FSV3 2006JORDAN REPLACEMENT TBDFSV4 2007FSV5 2008 Additional FSV/Long-Liner in Hawaii

FSV6 2008TBD TBD

RAINIER 1967WHITING 1962RUDE 1966FAIRWEATHER 1968 Additional Hydrographic Survey Vessel in Alaska

SWATH 2005TAGS 51 or TAGOS TBD2 LAUNCH HYDRO SHIP TBD

KA'IMIMOANA 1989RONALD H. BROWN 1997NWS/NDBC Buoy Tender TBDClass II West Coast TBD

FERREL 1968NANCY FOSTER 1991

MCARTHUR 1965MCARTHUR REPLACEMENT TBDVINDICATOR 1984

OE1 TBDOE2 TBD

Bold = Existing Ship Vessel under 20 years Funded

Italic = New/Replacement or Proposed Ship Vessel between 20 and 30 years or Post MRP w/ 10-15 years remaining Not Funded

Vessel over 30 years

Vessel To Be Determined

MRP

Remove from Service/Replace with converted TAGOS

MRP Remove from Service/Replaced by FSV2

50% NW - 50% Alaska100% Alaska when FSV4 goes on line

Conversion Replace MCARTHUR with converted TAGOS in SW

Conversion Replace FERREL on East Coast

Remove from Service/Replace with converted TAGOS

SHARED/MULTI-MISSION: FISHERIES SCIENCE AND SURVEYS & COASTAL OCEANOGRAPHY

200720062005

Additional Coral Reef/Coastal Oceanography Ship in Hawaii

OCEAN EXPLORATION

2008 20122011

Remove from Service/Replace with TAGS-51 Class Ship or TAGOS

Remove from Service/Replaced by NANCY FOSTER

BLUE WATER OCEANOGRAPHY, CLIMATE AND WEATHER SERVICES

Replace WHITING on East Coast

To Be Determined - Charter, Acquisition/Conversion or New Construction

Reactivation

20102009

20032002

200420032002

Conversion

FISHERIES SURVEYS & SCIENCERemove from Service/Replaced by OSCAR ELTON SETTE

Projected Service Life and Replacement Schedule for NOAA Ships

201220112010200920082007200620052004

Construction Additional FSV in NW and SW

Remove from Service/FSV6

Remove from Service/FSV7

Remain in Service as long as supportable, then charter

Continue Operations in SE

Continue Operations in Pacific TOGA/TAO

Construction Additional FSV1 in Alaska

NAUTICAL CHARTING/HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYS

Construction Replace ALBATROSS IV in NE (2 year calibration overlap)

Conversion Replace TOWNSEND CROMWELL in Hawaii Move to SW when FSV5 comes on line

Construction Replace DELAWARE II in NE50% SE - 50% NE

Construction Replace RUDE on East Coast

Remove from Service/Replaced by SWATH

Construction

Replace OREGON II in SE

TBD Replace MF in Alaska


Continue Operations in Alaska/Pacific

Continue Operations Worldwide

COASTAL OCEANOGRAPHY

MRP




MRP

Replace DAVID STARR JORDAN with converted TAGOS in SWConversion

Construction

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Average Age and Number of Ships (May 2003 – corrected version):

Figure 3: NOAA Fleet -- Average Age and Number of ShipsBased on Projected Service Life and Replacement Schedule

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

30.0

35.0

40.0

Fiscal Year

Years

Average Ship Age 33.6 28.2 27.7 23.8 23.7 22.4 22.3 21.3 16.9 13.9

Number of Ships 15 15 18 19 20 20 21 21 19 18

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

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Nautical Charting/Hydrographic Survey Requirements:

• Requirements for hydrographic data based on Office of Coast Survey’s National Survey Plan (November 2000) – updated w/ 2002 data

• Requirements for maintaining federal expertise and for replacing NOAA’s hydrographic fleet based on 2000 Report to Congress – Maintaining Federal Expertise and Capability in Hydrographic Services

• Cost-benefit analysis of in-house, contract, and time charter resources was prepared by KPMG Consulting for NOAA in September 2001

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National Survey Plan:

• Navigationally Significant -- 538,000 snm (approximately 16% of 3.4 million snm EEZ)

• Critical Backlog -- 43,000 snm (approximately 8% highest priority portion of Navigationally Significant Area)

• Resurvey Areas -- 5,000 snm (areas of Critical Backlog and Navigationally Significant that require periodic surveying due to silting, shoal migration, and new obstructions in shipping channels)

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National Survey Plan:

Figure 2: Relationship between the EEZ, Critical Area, and Navigationally Significant Areas

Critical Survey AreaCompleted since 1994(14,000 snm)

Critical Survey AreaRemaining (29,000 snm)

Other NavigationallySignificant Areas (500,000snm)

Remainder of EEZ(3,000,000 snm)

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Current Status:

• In FY 2004, NOAA’s hydrographic survey rate is approximately 2,800 snm per year (vice 9,500 snm requirement)

• At this rate, the remaining 29,000 snm of Critical Backlog is not expected to be completed until the year 2016

• At this rate, requirements for Resurvey Areas and Navigationally Significant Areas are not being met

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To meet requirements, NOAA must:

• Complete the remaining 29,000 snm of Critical Backlog

• Begin surveying 1,000 snm per year in Resurvey Areas in order to maintain a 2-7 year cycle

• Obtain 100% bottom coverage surveys in all Navigationally Significant Areas, and periodically resurvey them on a 50-60 year cycle

• In order to fully address these core requirements NOAA needs to survey 9,500 snm per year (Note: This is more than 3 times the current rate)

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Options for Increasing Capability by FY 2012:Options: (Any mix or multiple use of the options below can be used to increase capability to the required 9,500 snm/year)

Annual Operating Days

Gain in Production

(snm/year)*

100% increase in Contract Services n/a 500 - 800

Additional NOAA Ship - (2 launches) [Work Offshore and near-shore areas]

280 400 - 600

Additional Time Charter - (no launches) [Work Offshore areas only]

330 600 - 900

Additional Time Charter - (2 launches) [Work Offshore and near-shore areas]

330 400 - 700

Additional NOAA Ship - (4 launches) [work offshore and near-shore]

280 600 - 1000

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Advantages of NOAA In-House Vessels (2001 KPMG Analysis):

.

Table 2.2.2: Cost per square nautical mile ($/SqNM), thousands of dollars In-house Contractor Time Charter

Alaska – Shallow $24.17 $58.38 $33.02 Alaska – Deep $12.18 $35.62 $16.89 Gulf of Mexico $17.40 $19.70 $21.59

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Two Options for meeting NOAA’s Nautical Charting Requirements:

• Both options phase in additional data acquisition resources gradually with the goal of meeting 9,500 snm by FY 2012 (Note: Option 1 is lowest cost option)

• Option 1 -- 6 NOAA Hydrographic Survey ships by FY 2012 (THOMAS JEFFERSON, SWATH, FAIRWEATHER Replacement, RAINIER Replacement, New 2-Launch Atlantic/Gulf/Caribbean, and New 2-Launch Pacific/Alaska); 100% increase in Hydro Contracts; One Additional 2-Launch Time Charter; LIDAR Contracts

• Option 2 – 5 NOAA Hydrographic Survey ships by FY 2012 (all except New 2-Launch Pacific/Alaska); 200% increase in Hydro Contracts; Two Additional 2-Launch Time Charters; LIDAR Contracts

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Option 1: 6 NOAA Ships/100% Increase in Hydro Contracts/One Time Charter:

Ship / Resource Year

Operational

Annual Operating

Days

Estimated Capability (snm/year)*

RAINIER 1967 250 700-1000 Operational

WHITING 1962 250 300-500

RUDE 1966 280 100-150 Operational

FAIRWEATHER 1968/ (2004) 270 600-1000 ReactivationSWATH Conversion/

(RUDE repl) (2006) 280 150-200 Construction

LITTLEHALES (WHITING repl) (2003) 270 400-600

RAINIER Repl NOAA Ship (2011) 270 600-1000

FAIRWEATHER Rep NOAA Ship (2011) 270 600-1000

Additional 2-launch Conversion/

NOAA Ship (2007) 270 100-200* Construction


NOAA Ship (2009) 280 400-600 Construction

Contracts for HydroServices FY03 level 2002 n/a 500-800

100% incr in FY03 funding level for Contract Services (2005) n/a 500-800

Time Charter2003 300 600-900

Time Charter - w/ 2 launches (2007) 300 400-700

LIDAR Contracts (very near-shore) (2006) n/a 1200-1700

Approximate Annual 1,600 to 1,900 to 2,800 to 3,200 to 4,150 to 5,150 to 5,150 to 5,550 to 5,550 to 6,150

Production (snm)* 2,450 3,050 4,150 4,800 6,200 7,900 7,900 8,500 8,500 9,500

Bold = Existing Ship Vessel under 20 years

Italic = New/Replacement or Proposed Ship Vessel between 20 and 30 years or Post MRP w/ 10-15 years remaining


Contract Services or Charter Vessel

Remove from ServiceResume operations in Alaska and West Coast

Conversion/

Construction RAINIER Repl. W.Coast/AK

Conversion Replace WHITING on East Coast, GOM, CaribbeanRep WHITING

FAIRWEATHER Repl.Conversion/

Table 2.2.3: Option Mix 1 for meeting NOAA's Nautical Charting RequirementsMISSION AREA: NAUTICAL CHARTING/HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYS

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2009

Operational Removed from service/Replaced by LITTLEHALES

MRP Continue ops on W. Coast/Alaska Remove from Service/Replace

2010 2011

Contracts for Hydrographic Services ($20.5 million/year)

2012

Remove from service - replaced by SWATH

Replace RUDE on East Coast

Resurvey Areas* - East Coast, GOM, Caribbean

Operate in AK and the Pacific Isls.

2007 2008

Construction

Additional Contracts for Hydrographic Services ($20.5 million/year)

Operate in Gulf of Mexico and/or Alaska

Operate in Alaska near-shore and off shore

LIDAR or other remote sensing contracts for very near-shore

*Production rates fluctuate due to the varying difficulty of survey projects. Near-shore areas, particularly in harbors or areas that require shoreline verification, take much longer to complete than off-shore areas. Bottom type is also a major factor; rocky areas take much longer to complete because time is taken to investigate numerously more sonar contacts and features than a project area with a smooth sandy bottom. Adverse weather and sea conditions can also significantly impact production rates. Resurvey areas typically consist of inner harbor and approach lanes which are time consuming to survey, yet resolve a large number of items of concern to marine constituents.

Not Funded

6,200 to

9,600

Funded

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Option 2: 5 NOAA Ships/200% Increase in Hydro Contracts/Two Time Charters:

Ship / Resource Year

Operational

Annual Operating

Days

Estimated Capability (snm/year)*

RAINIER 1967 250 700-1000 Operational

WHITING 1962 250 300-500

RUDE 1966 280 100-150 Operational

FAIRWEATHER 1968/ (2004) 270 600-1000 ReactivationSWATH Conversion/

(RUDE repl) (2006) 280 150-200 Construction

LITTLEHALES (WHITING repl) (2003) 270 400-600

RAINIER Repl NOAA Ship (2011) 270 600-1000

FAIRWEATHER Rep NOAA Ship (2011) 270 600-1000


NOAA Ship (2007) 270 100-200* Construction

100% increase in FY03 funding level for Additional Contracts for Hydrographic Services ($20.5 million/year) Contract Services (2005) n/a 500-800

Additonal 100% increase in FY03 funding level for Additional Contracts for Hydrographic Contract Services (2007) n/a 500-800 Services ($20.5 million/year)Time Charter

2003 300 600-900 Operate in Gulf of Mexico and AlaskaTime Charter - 2 launches (near and off shore) (2008) 300 400-700 Operate in Gulf of Mexico and Alaska Time Charter - 2 launches (near and off shore) (2010) 300 400-700 Operate in AlaskaLIDAR Contracts (very near shore only) (2006) n/a 1200-1700 LIDAR or other remote sensing contracts for very near-shore

Approximate Annual 1,600 to 1,900 to 2,800 to 3,200 to 4,150 to 5,150 to 5,150 to 5,650 to 6,000 to 6,050 to 6,100 to

Production (snm)* 2,450 3,050 4,150 4,800 6,200 7,900 7,900 8,500 8,900 9,400 9,500

Bold = Existing Ship Vessel under 20 years Funded

Italic = New/Replacement or Proposed Ship Vessel between 20 and 30 years or Post MRP w/ 10-15 years remaining Not Funded


Contract Services or Charter Vessel

Rep WHITING Conversion Replace WHITING on East Coast, GOM, Caribbean

Resurvey Areas* - East Coast, GOM, Caribbean

FAIRWEATHER Repl.Construction

Table 2.2.4: Option Mix 2 for meeting NOAA's Nautical Charting RequirementsMISSION AREA: NAUTICAL CHARTING/HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYS

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2011 2012

MRP Continue ops on W. Coast/Alaska Remove from Service/Replace

2007 2008 2009 2010

Operational Removed from service/Replaced by LITTLEHALES

Remove from service - replaced by SWATH

Resume operations in Alaska and West Coast Remove from Service

*Production rates fluctuate due to the varying difficulty of survey projects. Near-shore areas, particularly in harbors or areas that require shoreline verification, take much longer to complete than off-shore areas. Bottom type is also a major factor; rocky areas take much longer to complete because time is taken to investigate numerously more sonar contacts and features than a project area with a smooth sandy bottom. Adverse weather and sea conditions can also significantly impact production rates. Resurvey areas typically consist of inner harbor and approach lanes which are time consuming to survey, yet resolve a large number of items of concern to marine constituents.

Replace RUDE on East Coast

Conversion/

RAINIER Repl. W.Coast/AK Construction

Conversion/

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The NOAA Fleet - Changes in FY 2003/2004:• 4 ships removed from service/replaced with newer ships converted for NOAA missions:

• TOWNSEND CROMWELL/OSCAR ELTON SETTE• FERREL/NANCY FOSTER• MCARTHUR/MCARTHUR II• WHITING/THOMAS JEFFERSON (commissioned July 8, 2003 in Norfolk)

• 3 ships added to NOAA fleet:• FAIRWEATHER (conversion) – Reactivation ceremony scheduled for August 18, 2004 in Ketchikan• HI’IALAKAI (conversion)• OSCAR DYSON (new construction)

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The NOAA Fleet - Changes in FY 2003/2004:

• NOAA active fleet expanded from 15 to 18 ships

• USNS ASSERTIVE (T-AGOS 9) acquired from U.S. Navy as future replacement for DAVID STARR JORDAN

29


The NOAA Fleet – Expected Changes in FY 2005/2006:

• Expect to acquire USNS CAPABLE (T-AGOS 16) from U.S. Navy as an additional ship for Ocean Exploration. Conversion likely to occur in FY 2005/2006. Begin operations TBD. When activated NOAA fleet would expand to 19 ships.

• Ship Disposals:• MCARTHUR transfer to Utrok Atoll pending• FERREL transfer/disposal pending• WHITING transfer to Mexico – Legislation pending

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The NOAA Fleet – Expected Changes in FY 2007/2008:• HENRY B. BIGELOW (FSV2) operational in FY 2007 -- overlaps/replaces ALBATROSS IV in FY 2008• FSV3 – Additional Fishery Survey Vessel for SE operational in FY 2007. Temporarily expands NOAA fleet to 20 ships – eventually replaces DELAWARE II when FSV6 comes on line to replace OREGON II• FSV4 – Additional Fishery Survey vessel shared by SW and NW operational in FY 2008. Expands NOAA fleet to 21 ships.• SWATH – operational in FY 2008 – replaces RUDE; homeported in New Hampshire• USNS ASSERTIVE (T-AGOS 9) converted FY 2007 to replace DAVID STARR JORDAN in FY 2008

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Summary:

• NOAA is working hard to modernize its aging fleet and to maintain federal expertise – in hydrographic services – and in other program areas, as well

• The majority of NOAA fleet modernization in the recent past and immediate future has been in the area of fisheries surveys and science

32


Summary (con’t):

• Ship Acquisition/Conversion -- NOAA has acquired/converted 6 T-AGOS ships from the U.S. Navy and is expected to soon acquire a 7th (CAPABLE – dedicated for Ocean Exploration).

• 3 T-AGOS ships dedicated for fisheries programs (GUNTER, SETTE and ASSERTIVE/DSJ)• 2 T-AGOS ships serve multiple programs (MCARTHUR II and HI’IALAKAI)• 1 T-AGOS ship dedicated for TAO array (KA’IMIMOANA)

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Summary (con’t):

• Ship Acquisition/Conversion -- NOAA has also acquired/converted 1 YTT and 1 TAGS-51 from the U.S. Navy

• YTT-12 -- NANCY FOSTER replaced FERREL dedicated for coastal oceanography programs on the east coast• TAGS-51 – THOMAS JEFFERSON replaced WHITING dedicated to nautical charting/hydrographic survey programs on the east coast

34


Summary (con’t):

• New Construction• 4 new, purpose built Fishery Survey Vessels already in pipeline• 2 additional FSV’s currently in 10-year plan – different from first 4 (long-liner for Hawaii; shallow-draft for GOM)• 1 additional FSV (MILLER FREEMAN replacement) under consideration• SWATH vessel to replace RUDE for nautical charting/hydrographic surveys on east coast in pipeline

35


Summary (con’t):

• Modernization/Reactivation

• FAIRWEATHER modernization is now complete and the ship will be soon be reactivated and dedicated to nautical charting/hydrographic surveys in Alaska. Homeport is Ketchikan, Alaska. Given the significant investment involved, expect the ship to stay in service another 10-15 years vice being replaced in FY 2012.

36


Questions/Discussion

Documents

Report of NOAA’s Ship Platform Requirements FY 2003 – FY 2012 1 Briefing for NOAA’s Hydrographic Services Review Panel ________________ Briefing by Captain