Expanding Access to Marine Research and Training in Narragansett Bay

纳拉甘西特湾是世界上最美丽的海湾之一。该地区众多机构、州和联邦机构进行的研究，使人们对温带海洋生态系统的正常功能有了相当大的了解。罗杰·威廉姆斯大学（RWU）是一所主要面向本科生的大学，校园位于海滨，乘船可轻松到达纳拉甘西特湾及其支流。除了他们自己积极的实地研究项目外，RWU还依靠他们现有的两艘小型船只与其他机构广泛合作。从罗杰·威廉姆斯大学校园乘船可轻松到达纳拉甘西特湾及其支流。他们的教员在整个地区取样并进行研究，经常从纳拉甘西特湾延伸到海洋，进行涉及国际扶轮沿海池塘和近海岛屿（例如，Cuttyhunk, Block）的研究。维持了十几个固定的实地项目地点，包括作为长期恢复和海岸/栖息地稳定工作的一部分而建造的实验性贝类床和牡蛎滩。诸如此类的项目吸引了更广泛的公众、国家机构、商业渔民和水产养殖者，学生与教职员工一起参与所有这些努力。有关当前研究项目的更多信息，请访问ce.rwu.edu。除了RWU之外，还有一大批研究项目在纳拉甘西特湾河口系统进行研究。这些机构包括罗德岛大学（URI）、布朗大学、马萨诸塞大学达特茅斯分校、伍兹霍尔海洋研究所、海洋生物实验室、萨尔维里贾纳学院、罗德岛学院以及许多联邦和州政府机构。RWU经常与这些机构合作，经常根据项目的要求提供供水。对这种水上研究能力的持续需求，RWU试图在可能的情况下容纳现有的两艘船（24' Romarine和19' open小艇）。该合同通过获得第三艘RWU船来增强区域研究能力，该船能够：1)在指定的巡航中载客量翻倍（12名以上船员，而不是目前的6名），2)提供更多的开放甲板空间，3)通过内置柴油发动机提高燃油效率，4)减少航行时间的调度冲突，5)支持开发新的本科课程，包括小型船只处理，船只操作和维护。6)支持水肺研究潜水。RWU最近与罗德岛大学合作启动了一个正式的潜水项目，并将于2016年秋季首次提供科学研究潜水课程。这艘船的选择是30英尺的“岛Hopper”，配置有开放的甲板空间和潜水平台。这些船通常被用作当地的潜水船，由佛罗里达州赛百灵的海鹰船建造；都有海岸警卫队的认证，稳定性和建造性都很好。

Narragansett Bay is one of the world?s best-studied estuaries and research conducted by the numerous institutions, state and federal agencies in the region has led to considerable understanding of the normal functioning of a temperate marine ecosystem. Roger Williams University (RWU) is a primarily undergraduate institution with a water-front campus from which all of Narragansett Bay and its tributaries are easily accessible by boat. In addition to an active field-based research program of their own, RWU collaborates extensively with other institutions, relying on their current fleet of two small vessels. All of Narragansett Bay and its tributaries are easily accessible by boat from the Roger Williams University campus. Their faculty sample and conduct research throughout the region, often extending beyond Narragansett Bay into the ocean for studies involving the RI coastal ponds and the offshore islands (e.g., Cuttyhunk, Block). Over a dozen fixed field-project locations are maintained that include experimental shellfish beds and oyster flats constructed as part of long-term restoration and shore/habitat stabilization efforts. Projects such as these engage the broader public, state agencies, commercial fishermen and aqua-culturists, and students participate with faculty and staff in all of these efforts. Additional information on current research projects is available at ceed.rwu.edu.In addition to RWU, a large contingent of research programs work the Narragansett Bay estuary system. These include the University of Rhode Island (URI), Brown University, UMass Dartmouth, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Marine Biological Laboratory, Salve Regina College, Rhode Island College as well as numerous federal and state governmental agencies. RWU often collaborates with these institutions, frequently in the form of providing water access as projects dictate. There is continuing demand for this on-the-water research capacity, which RWU tries to accommodate where possible with its two current vessels (24' Romarine and a 19' open skiff). This award enhances regional research capacity through the acquisition of a third RWU vessel capable of 1) doubling passenger capacity on a given cruise (12 plus crew instead of the current six), 2) providing increased open deck space for gear deployment, 3) enhancing fuel efficiency through the inclusion of an inboard diesel engine, 4) reducing scheduling conflicts for boat time, 5) supporting the development of new undergraduate courses in small boat handling, boat operations and maintenance, and 6) supporting SCUBA research diving. RWU recently initiated a formal dive program in collaboration with the University of Rhode Island, and will offer a scientific research diving course for the first time in the fall of 2016. The vessel of choice for this is a 30' Island Hopper configured with open deck space and a dive platform. Commonly used as local dive boats, these vessels are built by Sea Hawk Boats of Sebring, FL; are coast guard certified and are well regarded for their stability and construction.