CIOERT's Capabilities Toolbox

CIOERT’s mission is to explore and study the nation’s ocean frontiers using innovation and cutting edge technologies.

Technologies

CIOERT technology capabilities include assets and the ability to operate them, as well as engineering and training services (Table 1). On a project-by-project basis, the CIOERT operations team works closely with the science leads to develop, integrate and apply required capabilities to meet mission objectives. Day rates vary by asset and type of partnership and are available upon request (see contacts in Table 1).

Table 1. CIOERT technology assets available to science community.

AssetOwnerDescriptionContactURL
Support Vessels:
R/V Cape FearUNCW75-ft LOA, sleeps 6 scientistsstyronj@uncw.eduWebsite
R/V Seward JohnsonFAU/Harbor Branch204-ft. LOA, sleeps 24 scientistsptatro@hboi.fau.eduWebsite
R/V Walton SmithUniv. of Miami96-ft. LOA, sleeps 14 scientists, dynamic positioningmardep@rsmas.miami.eduWebsite
Undersea Platforms:
HIDEX Gen III instrument platformFAU/HB500-m lowered instrument platform with suite of sensors, e.g., bioluminescencecfrey@hboi.fau.eduWebsite
Johnson-Sea-Link submersibleFAU/HB1000-m human occupied sub for sciencedliberat@hboi.fau.eduWebsite
Medusa seafloor landerFAU/HB2000-m lander with sensors and videocfrey@hboi.fau.eduWebsite
Panther-II ROVFAU/HB1000-m ROV for sub rescue and science, 6 cameras, 5-fcn. manipulatorcfrey@hboi.fau.eduWebsite
Trimix Technical ScubaUNCWDown to 100 m, Mixed breathing gases, dive supervisor, required training and certification, rebreatherskeslingd@uncw.eduWebsite
Super-Phantom S2 ROVUNCW305-m, video and still cameras, 3-fcn manipulator, pilot and tenderhornl@uncw.eduWebsite
Phantom 300UNCW100-m, video camera, operate yourselfhornl@uncw.eduWebsite
Sea Max ROVSRI1000-m, video, still camera, 5-fcn manipulatorJohn.kloske@sri.comBrochure
BlueFin AUVSRI1000-m, side-scan plus other payloads belowJohn.kloske@sri.comBrochure
Pelagia GliderUNCW100-m, buoyancy driven AUVtaylorg@uncw.eduWebsite
Undersea Science Payloads:
BlueView 3D SonarSRIhigh resolution acoustic bottom mapping system that can be deployed from platforms of opportunityJohn.kloske@sri.comWebsite
Underwater Mass Spectrometer (MIMS)SRIunderwater membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS) systems capable of in situ detection and quantification of dissolved gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)Tim.short@sri.comWebsite
In situ Ichthyo-plankton Imaging System (ISIIS)Univ. of Miamitowed digital imaging system capable of quantifying larval fish in situ, via high volume imaging (40 cm depth of field with a 14 cm field of view) at high resolution (68 mm pixel resolution)John.kloske@sri.comWebsite
SIPPERUniv. of S. Floridaplankton imaging system with 0.1 mm resolution; high-speed (>147 million pixels/sec) line scan camera provides continuous record of particles that pass through a 96 mm x 96 mm sampling aperture; images 14 L per second moving at 3 knotsaremsen@seas.marine.usf.eduWebsite
Spectro-photometric Elemental Analysis System (SEAS)SRIcompact, laboratory grade spectrophotometer that measures chemical (including CO2, O2 and pH) species with a resolution in the parts per trillion to depths of 1,500 m.Lori.adornato@sri.comWebsite

Experts:

CIOERT programs involve over 100 collaborators. Principal Investigators leading 2009-2011 science plans represent a range of science and technology expertise to support NOAA and OER missions (Table 2).

Table 2. PIs involved in 2009-2011 CIOERT Science Plans.

NameAffiliationExpertiseURLImage
Managing Partners:
Pomponi, ShirleyFAUMarine natural products, chemical ecologyWebsitePhoto
Hanisak, DennisFAUBiological oceanography, marine macroalgae, marine educationWebsitePhoto
Edge, SaraFAUMolecular biology, molecular techniques for assessing coral healthWebsitePhoto
Frank, TammyFAUBiological oceanography, zooplanktonWebsitePhoto
Liberatore, DonFAUHuman Occupied Vehicles, operations and technologyWebsitePhoto
Reed, JohnFAUCoral ecology, marine taxonomyWebsitePhoto
Voss, JoshuaFAUCoral reef ecology, microbiology, molecular techniques for assessing coral healthWebsitePhoto
Wright, AmyFAUOrganic chemistry, marine natural products, chemical assaysWebsitePhoto
Baden, DanUNCWBiochemistry, marine toxicologyWebsitePhoto
Shepard, AndyUNCWBenthic ecology, coral conservation, in situ technologiesWebsitePhoto
Horn, LanceUNCWUndersea vehicles technology and operationsWebsitePhoto
Kesling, DougUNCWAdvanced technical diving technology and operationsWebsitePhoto
Ross, SteveUNCWFisheries ecology, deep sea coral ecosystemsWebsitePhoto
Szmant, AlinaUNCWCoral ecology, reproductive biology and physiologyWebsitePhoto
Whitehead, RobertUNCWCoral ecology and physiology, ocean acidificationWebsite 
Wright, JeffUNCWMarine natural products, biosynthesis, microalgaeWebsitePhoto
Limited Partners:
Ortner, PeterU. of MiamiBiological oceanography, phytoplankton, nutrientsWebsitePhoto
Langebrake, LarrySRIMarine technology, electrical engineering, sensor innovationsWebsitePhoto
Adornato, LoriSRIChemical oceanography, in situ sensor innovations, mass spectrometryWebsitePhoto
Collaborators:
Appeldoorn, RichU. of Puerto RicoBiological oceanography, mesophotic coral reefs, fishery ecologyWebsitePhoto
Brooke, SandraMCBICoral conservation, coral reproduction and recruitmentWebsitePhoto
Eggleston, DaveNCSUMarine ecology, ecological modelingWebsitePhoto
Mazell, CharlesPhysical Sciences Inc.Sensor technologies, marine fluorescenceWebsitePhoto
Remsen, AndrewU. of S. FloridaPlankton ecology, SIPPER technologyWebsite 
Sautter, LeslieCollege of CharlestonMarine geology, paleo-oceanography, marine educationWebsitePhoto

Expedition Toolbox:

OER’s Okeanos Explorer will explore the world’s oceans, utilizing new paradigms for exploration and marine operations. At home, NOAA ships average 180 sea days per ship per year, mostly off U.S. coasts. CIOERT seeks to partner with expeditions off the east coast (Great Lakes, Atlantic, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico) to serve NOAA and OER missions, leverage valuable ship time, and add beneficial exploration capabilities to all NOAA cruises.

Goal:

Develop and implement collaborative program for working with NOAA partners with NOAA ship time to add exploration capabilities and new science objectives.

What We Offer

Benefits: