Florida Institute of Oceanography: R/V Western Flyer: CY2022-CY2026 - ONR Ship Operations and Facili
Abstract
The Secretary of Defense, Chief of Naval Operations, and Chief of Naval Research have expressed a need to grow US Defense Science an,d Technology in intentional ways to increase not only operational capacity and tactical advantage of the US warfighter, but to also,leverage US economic growth and greater participation by minority and indigenous institutions. Office of Naval Research will work wi,th Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO), a consortium of universities, colleges, private industry and non-profit entities, to ope,rate research vessels and supporting oceanographic facilities with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education,al opportunities that impact career choice, placement and success within the naval research enterprise. This five-year grant will s,upport naval interests for oceanographic research and STEM education utilizing three research vessels: WESTERN FLYER, WEATHERBIRD II,, and W.T. HOGARTH. R/V WESTERN FLYER is a recently acquired 117? vessel (Fall 2022) currently being readied for operations througho,ut US southeast including Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean territories (US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico) and eastern US seaboard. WESTERN, FLYER?s capabilities include deep ROV and other oceanographic operations through an 8 x 8 m internal ?moon pool?. The proposed wor,k includes fabrication and installation of a Control Room system by an industry partner, Pelagic Research Services, aboard R/V WESTE,RN FLYER. The Control Room will offer state-of-the-art capabilities supporting a 4000 m ROV compatible with Augmented Reality/Virtua,l Reality controls, other robotic operations, teaching and apprenticeship capabilities, and telepresence to shore-side participants., Science operating days on the three vessels for a variety of naval STEM programs including ROV science operations, American Academy, of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) diving program, and general-purpose oceanographic research, including graduate and undergraduate STEM, activities and programs that will utilize telepresence capabilities inherent to R/V WESTERN FLYER. FIO and partnering organizations, will deliver a robust cohort-based research, mentoring and training program to build leadership in a technology-readied workforce w,ith real-world at-sea training in ocean STEM. This will be accomplished by bringing students from both FIO membership and across the, United States into at-sea experiences with ONR-funded science programs. FIO is partnering directly with Historically Black Colleges, and Universities (HBCU) and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) to build and implement programming around at-sea and on-shore, participation of HBCU/MSI students. To highlight the reach of FIO as a means to support diversity among naval research enterprise,,FIO?s membership includes six minority serving institutions: Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Bethune Cookman Univers,ity, Florida Atlantic University, Nova Southeastern University, University of Central Florida and Florida International University.,Another eight FIO member institutions are emerging Hispanic Serving Institutions: University of South Florida, Florida Gulf Coast Un,iversity, Florida Polytechnic University, Florida State University, New College of Florida, St. Petersburg College, University of Fl,orida, and University of Miami.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 07, 2022
- Source ID
- N000142212774
Entities
People
- Quentin Lewis
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of South Florida