Mission
The mission of Marine Operations is to enable MBARI scientists and engineers to unravel the mysteries of the world’s ocean utilizing better systems, methods and technology. Marine Operations enables scientists to be successful by understanding the scientific goals, and adapting equipment and methods to achieve these goals. Marine Operations enables Engineering to be successful by supporting technology development efforts and maintaining a special interactive relationship that encourages a sense of joint ownership and responsibility for the successful development of new systems for ocean science. To accomplish these goals, it is crucial that Marine Operations continually improve “at sea” methods, and is proactive in maintaining “state of the art” marine systems to support research.
Functions
The primary function of Marine Operations is to support the operation of three ships, two remotely-operated
vehicles (ROVs), autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), and
oceanographic instrumentation on local and Equatorial Pacific moorings.
The R/V Point Lobos
is the support vessel for ROV Ventana.
It conducts day trips on an average of four days per week. The
R/V Western Flyer is the
support vessel for ROV Doc Ricketts and is primarily utilized for operations of 3 to 5 days. Extended
voyages of two to three months’ duration are planned annually. R/V
Zephyr, with its new launch and recovery system, supports AUV
operations. The vessel is also utilized for maintaining environmental moorings,
collecting time series data along the California current, and supporting scuba
divers as they study near-shore habitats.
Our ROV pilots, ships' crews,
technicians, and master machinist also design and construct science tools and samplers in
cooperation with MBARI scientists and engineers. Our staff is dedicated to furthering the
science and engineering endeavors of MBARI, and providing quality service and safe
operations to its employees, adjuncts, and collaborators.