MBARI's SWATH vessel, the R/V Western
Flyer
Coming of Age
In January 1991 Peter Brewer, a chemical oceanographer from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, took up the post of executive director. During Brewer’s term as president and executive director, three crucial elements were added to MBARI’s infrastructure: a modern science-engineering-administration complex, a second research vessel, and a revolutionary underwater vehicle. Together these assets markedly expanded the institute’s capabilities and strengthened its standing in the oceanographic community.
MBARI acquired a parcel in Moss Landing, adjacent to its existing operations facility and drew up a design for a 6,500-square-meter (70,000-square-foot) building overlooking the bay and the harbor. MBARI science, engineering, and administrative staff settled in the spacious new quarters in 1995.
The institute’s dock at Moss Landing had been built specifically to accommodate a SWATH (small waterplane area twin hull) vessel. This new research ship, the R/V Western Flyer reached its new berth in Moss Landing on February 2, 1996.
The major project of the institute’s watershed years was the engineering and building of the ROV Tiburon. The electric-powered vehicle is capable of descending to 4,000 meters (13,100 feet). One of the most sophisticated all-electric ROVs currently being used for ocean science, its precision thrusters allow for high performance control while keeping underwater noise to a minimum.
The new hardware has not replaced MBARI’s older workhorses, as the R/V Point Lobos and the ROV Ventana maintain a solid niche.
In June 1996 Peter Brewer left the executive directorship of MBARI to return to full-time research in ocean chemistry. G. Ross Heath, who had been on the institute’s board of directors since its earliest days, took over as acting president and executive director. Heath’s perspective on ocean science was based on his decades of experience as a marine geologist, and he injected the spirit of a new era into planning and goal-setting at MBARI. He vigorously encouraged multidisciplinary research projects, reorganized the staff into five divisions, and led the process of drafting of a strategic plan that refocused on the mission as articulated by David Packard. Heath stayed at MBARI’s helm until September 1997, when Marcia K. McNutt became president and chief executive officer.