Ship Operations: R/V Cape Hatteras

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Project Summary This project will support NSF funded research programs by providing a safe, efficient, and economical platform for studies conducted primarily on the East Coast, although the ship is providing coverage in Bermuda for the Weatherbird while it is in the ship yard. This is a five-year cooperative agreement, and in CY2005, 152 days out of 194 will be used to support NSF sponsored research for nine different awards. For each year of the cooperative agreement, funding is dependent upon the number of days at sea in support of NSF research, and budgets are renegotiated. The intellectual merit of the proposal lies in the funded science program. This proposal is for support of a research platform.Broader Impacts The research programs supported by Cape Hatteras will address a number of issues of societal importance, including the role of the oceans in climate change, the transport and impact of contaminants from fresh-water inputs into the oceans, preservation and changes of biogenic fossil materials over time, and understanding the carbon cycle. The proposed cruises will have graduate student and post-doctoral personnel participating and, as a result, will contribute to professional education and development. To help foster interest in ocean science, the Consortium will continue its cooperative workings with the local high schools and Carteret Community College, give annual tours of Cape Hatteras for the East Carteret High School Marine Biology classes, and offer high school and middle school science teachers the opportunity to sail with the NC State undergraduate techniques class. In addition, ship tours are also offered to undergraduate and graduate students who take courses at the Duke University Marine Laboratory.