The complementary NSF plan calls for engineering designs leading to construction of two large 

 ships plus a smaller, ice-strengthened ship in the period 1990-94. The combination of Navy and 

 NSF plans will result in construction of one small, ice-capable and four large ships between 1 988 

 and 1995, and modernization of two others. 



The UNOLS report provides estimates for new ship construction costs. This is summarized in 

 Figure G.I which shows that $98M in inflated dollars will be needed for the three NSF-planned 

 ships in the 1990-94 time period. An additional $50M will be required in 1995-96 to address 

 the late 1990's requirements to continue with a fully capable modern fleet. These funds will 

 support two additional smaller ships for delivery in 1996 and 1997. Specific planning for these 

 needs has not yet been completed. The UNOLS Fleet Improvement Committee will begin to examine 

 these needs in 1987. 



To meet the 1990's requirements for fully implemented Global Ocean and Lithosphere programs, 

 the core academic fleet must be augmented with additional ships beyond the identified Navy and NSF 

 replacement and modernization plans. The existing academic research fleet evolved to its present 

 size based upon core program requirements. The existing research ships, coupled with the more 

 capable and effective new construction/replacement ships, can absorb some of the increased field 

 program requirements but clearly cannot meet all of them. 



Analysis of the "at sea" science requirements in the 1990's (Table G.3) shows a shortfall of 

 available research ship time, including the new construction, of 2.5 ship-years in 1989 

 increasing to 8.5 ship-years by 1991 and remaining at about 10.0 ship-years of time to 1996. 



Several complementary activities and programs are planned to provide the facilities needed by 

 these science programs. These include consideration of: 



• Use of long-term commercial charters for multichannel seismic capabilities needed by the 



Ocean Lithosphere Studies; 



• Increased use of research ships provided by international partners/collaborators in 



Global Ocean Studies; 



• Incorporation of new institution-owned research ships in the core academic fleet; 



• Development of cooperative-use arrangements with other Federal agencies which operate 



research ships; and 



• Additional commercial charters for specific science project needs on a short-term basis. 



67 



