Five Year Request for East Coast Winch Pool Facility (CY22-26) Year 1

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole MA

Investigators

Abstract

This project supports shared-use scientific handling equipment and technical expertise that enable oceanographic research aboard vessels of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet. By providing researchers with access to specialized overboarding systems, the project supports the collection of oceanographic observations, seafloor samples, water column measurements, and deployment of scientific instruments used to study ocean circulation, marine ecosystems, seafloor processes, natural hazards, and other marine systems. The project strengthens research infrastructure by reducing duplication of costly equipment, improving access to advanced scientific capabilities, and supporting workforce development and research and education activities through participation in sea-going scientific operations. The project provides continued operation of the East Coast Winch Pool, a shared-use facility that maintains, calibrates, deploys, and supports specialized overboarding equipment used aboard research vessels throughout the Academic Research Fleet. Activities include equipment maintenance, inspection, logistics, engineering support, technical consultation, and development of deployment solutions tailored to individual scientific missions. By pooling equipment and technical expertise, the project improves operational efficiency, reduces costs, enhances equipment availability, and helps ensure safe and reliable deployment of scientific instrumentation in support of federally funded oceanographic research. 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.