1. Great Lakes Panel: Research, Resources and Infrastructure October 27, 2011 Washington, DC Consortium for Ocean Leadership

2. Great Lakes Research Vessels Shared U.S. - Canadian “inland sea” of 94,000 square miles surface area with a wide variety of field conditions Lakes vary from deep oligotrophic to shallow and highly eutrophic, with everything in between. Very Few Winter Ice Operations

3. Vessel Statistics 82 Research Vessels Currently Active in the Great Lakes 64 U.S., 18 Canada Average Age: 28 years (U.S.), 26 years (Canada) Years

4. Vessel Locations Source: Great Lakes Association of Science Ships www.CanAmGlass.org www.CanAmGlass.org

5. No “Typical” Great Lakes Research Vessel

6. Federal, Provincial & State Vessels

7. University Research Vessels

8. Vessels of Opportunity & Commercial Vessels

9. Examples of Old Vessels Still in Operation R/V Grayling – 34 years old R/V Hack Noyes – 65 years old R/V LL Smith Jr. – 61 years old R/V Atigamayg – 53 years old R/V Neeskay – 58 years old

10. New OMNR, USGS, Wisconsin and Michigan Research Vessels

11. Education and Outreach Programs

12. Extended Cruise OffshoreLifting Large/ Heavy Towed Instru- ments Dive Support Survey Mapping Near shore Event response Range Multi- disciplined Sea state Ice Buoys Moorings Trawls Sonar PSS/OPC Tech Diving Hydro Sub- bottom Event response Support Traditional Sampling – Provide for Emerging Technologies Automated Vessel Observations Support Great Lakes Observing System Test bed for new sensors Multi-Mission Capabilities

13. Future Great Lakes Vessel Operations Address the need for a new Small Research Vessel Develop strategic plans for: Vessel and field equipment renewal State of the art science gear / vessel integration Automated observations Evaluation of emerging technologies Best utilization of shore facilities Marine technology leadership Integrate with other agencies and partners to develop modern and sustainable fleet INTEGRATED GREAT LAKES

14. Questions to Consider… Who really cares about the condition of the fleet? How do we simplify/ standardize processes? How can we be more strategic and effective? How do we elevate and expand understanding and support?