The University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) - The academic research fleet and oceanographic facilities

The University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) was formed by the U.S. academic oceanographic community in cooperation with the Federal funding agencies in 1971 to promote the goals of communitywide equal access to research vessels, cooperative ship scheduling, standardized operations, and uniform funding arrangements. The UNOLS organization has continued to be focused on these goals as well as planning for the renewal and technological upgrading of oceanographic research facilities. Acting together, scientists from all UNOLS institutions and the Federal Agencies that support the science and facilities have fostered a modem research vessel fleet and submergence vehicles that have provided the tools required for cutting edge ocean science research. Mis coordinated approach, with input from users and funding agencies, maintains the individual facility operations at a widely dispersed group of institutions and has promoted a healthy and innovative approach to providing facilities to all marine scientists. This paper will discuss the make up of the academic research fleet, the UNOLS organization and the challenges for the coming decades.