Expanding Access to Marine Research and Training in Narragansett Bay

纳拉甘塞特湾是世界之一？该地区的许多机构、州和联邦机构对该地区的河口进行了最深入的研究，从而对温带海洋生态系统的正常运作有了相当多的了解。罗杰威廉姆斯大学（RWU）是一所主要的本科院校，拥有一个海滨校园，从这里乘船可轻松抵达纳拉甘塞特湾及其支流。除了他们自己的一个积极的基于实地的研究计划，RWU与其他机构广泛合作，依靠他们目前的两艘小型船只。所有的纳拉甘塞特湾及其支流都很容易从罗杰威廉姆斯大学校园乘船前往。他们的教师在整个地区取样和进行研究，通常延伸到纳拉甘塞特湾以外的海洋，研究涉及国际扶轮沿海池塘和近海岛屿（例如，Cuttyhunk，Block）。维护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贝类养殖场和牡蛎养殖场。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。关于当前研究项目的更多信息可在ceed.rwu.edu上获得。除了RWU，还有一大批研究项目在纳拉甘塞特湾河口系统工作。这些机构包括罗得岛大学、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、萨尔夫里贾纳学院、罗得岛学院以及众多的联邦和州政府机构。RWU经常与这些机构合作，通常是按照项目要求提供用水。对这种水上研究能力的持续需求，RWU试图在可能的情况下利用其现有的两艘船只（24 'Romarine和19'开放式小艇）进行适应。该合同通过购买第三艘RWU船舶来提高区域研究能力，该船舶能够1）在给定的巡航中将载客量增加一倍（12名加上船员而不是目前的6名），2）为齿轮部署提供增加的开放甲板空间，3）通过包括船内柴油发动机来提高燃料效率，4）减少船时间的调度冲突，5）支持发展新的小型船只处理，船只操作和维修本科课程，以及6）支持SCUBA研究潜水。RWU最近与罗得岛大学合作启动了一个正式的潜水项目，并将于2016年秋季首次提供科研潜水课程。这艘船的选择是一个30 '岛漏斗配置开放的甲板空间和潜水平台。这些船通常用作当地潜水船，由佛罗里达州塞布林的海鹰船建造，经过海岸警卫队认证，并因其稳定性和建造而受到好评。

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.