Cruise Planning
Science party size
The R/V Western Flyer can accommodate up to 26 persons onboard. The ship's crew minimum requirement is 10 at all times. Normal 12-hour consecutive day ROV operations require a five-person ROV crew. Over-the-side operations require at least two ship's crew member to assist, but normally this does not require additional crew. The following guidelines can be used to calculate science bunk space:
- The maximum legal science complement is 16. This includes 11 scientists and five ROV pilots. Crew size is 10 for a maximum of 26 people.
- Non-ROV missions (low to moderate over-the-side operations) – 16 science bunks available.
- ROV day trip – 11 scientists allowed.
- ROV cruise of consecutive 12-hour days (with or without low to moderate over-the-side night operations) - 11 science bunks available with 10 ship's crew and 5 ROV pilots.