University of Delaware/RV SHARP Swallow SSSE

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A request is made to fund Shipboard Scientific Support Equipment (SSSE) for the R/V Hugh R Sharp, a 146-foot Regional research vessel operated by the University of Delaware as part of the US Academic Research Fleet (ARF). Sharp is a state-of-the-art, coastal research vessel that is owned and operated by the University of Delaware. The vessel can carry fourteen to twenty scientists on cruises up to eighteen days in duration and supports projects from all disciplines of oceanography. The vessel is a regional asset, serving researchers from many institutions throughout the mid-Atlantic. The vessel typically operates in the coastal waters from Long Island, New York, to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, as well as the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays. In 2020, in a pandemic-shortened season, Sharp completed only 35 days at sea. NSF funded projects accounted for 8 days or 25% of the sailing schedule. In 2021, Sharp is scheduled for 143 days with NSF days accounting for 7% (10 days) of the total sailing schedule. SSSE requested in this proposal includes:Furuno Navigation RADARs (Set of 2) $88,600 GMDSS Emergency Communications Equipment $16,885 $105,485 Broader ImpactsThe principal impact of the present proposal is under Merit Review Criterion 2 of the Proposal Guidelines (NSF 19-602). It provides infrastructure support for scientists to use the vessel and its shared-use instrumentation in support of their NSF-funded oceanographic research projects (which individually undergo separate review by the relevant research program of NSF). The acquisition, maintenance and operation of shared-use instrumentation allows NSF-funded researchers from any US university or lab access to working, calibrated instruments for their research, reducing the cost of that research, and expanding the base of potential researchers.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.