Coast Survey Biweekly Newsletter

Navigation response teams prepare for hurricane season

Howie shows off his personal protective equipment

Howie Meyers checking the readiness of S3009 in preparation
for hurricane season.

On May 27, Howie Meyers and James Kirkpatrick launched the navigation response team (NRT) survey vessel, S3009, to confirm the readiness of NRT-Fernandina Beach in advance of the 2020 hurricane season. This was a particularly important milestone as the vessel and survey systems had not been used in more than two months. Both members of the team took steps to mitigate risks by driving separate vehicles to the marina, wearing N95 masks and gloves, and keeping as much distance between them as possible. The boat was launched at 10:00 a.m. and was back on the trailer by 11:15 a.m. The team determined that the truck and trailer are in good shape with no major issues to report other than the need for a new trailer jack. The outboards and generator ran perfectly. All survey equipment was tested (POSMV, SSP, SVP, SSS and MBES) and performed well. For more information contact James.Kirkpatrick@noaa.gov.

CMTS discusses impact of COVID-19 to the marine transportation system

The U.S. Committee on the Marine Transportation System (CMTS) coordinating board met at a virtual intersessional meeting to discuss and share observations on the many and diverse impacts of COVID-19 to the marine transportation system. Led by Rear Adm. Tim Gallaudet, commerce assistant secretary of oceans and atmosphere and deputy administrator of NOAA, more than 25 member agencies and directorates were in attendance. In particular, Gallaudet called the session to discuss ways in which the CMTS partnership could enhance support to members during this very dynamic and ever changing time. The members also reported on the extraordinary efforts implemented to support the maintenance and recovery of the MTS, including:

NOAA's enhanced use of drones to support its ocean observation requirements under limited use of NOAA charting and research vessels;
U.S. Coast Guard implemented a number of regulatory relief advisories to support MTS operations such as allowance for merchant mariner credentials that may expire during COVID-19 program office closures;
Maritime Administration holds weekly calls with industry to receive first-hand reports of challenges to the MTS and works with federal partners and industry to resolve them;
Federal Maritime Commission has called Fact Finding 29 to identify information helpful to mitigating COVID-19 impacts on the supply chain and as it relates to FMC authorities; and
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has maintained the annual dredging program without interruption during the pandemic.

A number of actions were proposed for the CMTS work plan for the board’s consideration. For more information contact Heather.Gilbert@noaa.gov.

NOAA joins federal and state partners in signing MOU on emergency maritime response in Hawaii

NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Honolulu, State of Hawaii Department of Transportation, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Honolulu Division established a memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlining each signatory’s area of responsibility in the event of a disaster in the Hawaii region. The intent of the MOU is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of response efforts and speed the reopening of the ports and waterways following an emergency. Given the remoteness of the islands and lack of hydrographic surveying resources year round, this is an important step in regional preparedness for disasters such as hurricane or tsunami. The MOU defines Coast Survey’s role with the mobile integrated survey team (MIST) and in providing personnel and expertise for conducting hydrographic surveys to re-open ports. For more information check out the Coast Survey blog or contact CrescentMoegling@noaa.gov.

NOAA Ships and Contractor Operations

Weekly Hydro Ship Activity Report - Week of May 31, 2020

Awards

Congratulations to Lt. Cmdr. Bart Buesseler who was selected for the NOAA Association of Commissioned Officers Science Award for 2019. The award acknowledges an outstanding scientific contribution made by an officer. Buesseler is recognized for his “exceptional skill in resolving regional charting and navigation questions by educating constituents on charting technologies and their uses, and soliciting feedback on NOAA's navigation products and services from the Alaskan maritime community. For exemplifying the critical link between NOAA and Alaska's unique culture, blending science, maritime commerce, traditional subsistence lifestyles, homeland security, and environmental stewardship through charting, introducing and mastering new technologies, and outreach.”

Congratulations to Lt. Dylan Kosten for accepting the Meritorious Team Commendation from the U.S. Coast Guard on behalf of NRT-New London, which includes team members Eli Smith and Michael Bloom. The team was recognized for a rapid and well executed buoy recovery operation at Valiant Rock, New York, during the week of Jan 28, 2020.

Staff Updates

Ren Okojie

Marine Chart Division welcomes Irenosen “Ren” Okojie who comes to Coast Survey from the Spatial Data Update Branch at the U.S. Census Bureau where she primarily updated address databases and conducted boundary and annexation surveys. She joins Production Branch D working on ENC workflows. In May, Ren graduated from the University of Maryland with a master's degree in geospatial intelligence. She enjoys hiking, traveling, and deep water aerobics classes. Even in these difficult times she’s maintaining a positive lookout and can't wait for new experiences!

Corey Allen

Corey Allen was selected as the acting deputy for the Hydrographic Surveys Division while Lorraine Robidoux is on detail to the Coast Survey front office. Corey started his detail full-time on Monday, June 8, 2020.

did you know?

The IOCM seminar series has started for 2020! Do you have a great ocean and coastal mapping topic that you would like to share with NOAA and beyond? Finished a project? Started a new tech program? Made a crazy discovery? Mapped an area that's never been mapped before? We'd love to hear about it. Submit a proposal here.

coming up

6/11 - Webinar: Industry Role in Seabed2030
6/18 - Webinar: An autonomous approach to ocean mapping: A USM, Saildrone, and NOAA collaboration
6/21 - World Hydrography Day
7/13-7/16 - NOAA-University of New Hampshire Joint Hydrographic Center annual review

gis corner

NOAA Esri Central Support – contact for GIS software issues.

OCS GIS Portal & NOAA Geoplatform – data access

NOAA GIS Community - information on GIS projects, software, and geospatial initiatives

ArcGIS StoryMaps - Discover our stories

Submit issues with ArcGIS-based applications to the help desk with the subject line "URGENT - GIS Server Issue."

Interested in learning about CHIME Model, ArcGIS Pro, Survey123, ArcGIS and PowerBi, or Data Science in ArcGIS Using Python and R? Coast Survey has access to several upcoming Esri webinars and technical workshops. Check out this flier and Esri's website for more opportunties! Registration required. If you have any trouble registering, please submit a ticket with the NOAA Esri Central Support site.

diversity and inclusion

Anti-Racism and Social Justice
Anti-racism and allyship resources

NOAA LGBTQ+ Pride
Did you know that NOAA has a NOAA Pride employee resources group? To learn more visit their website.

NOAA is proud to join the nation in recognizing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer + (LGBTQ+) Pride Month to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City. Observances are held throughout the month of June to increase the awareness of LGBTQ+ history and the contributions of individuals who are a part of this vibrant community. Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. EDT

NOAA Pride is offering ally training that is applicable beyond the LGBTQ+ community:
Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. EDT
Tuesday, June 30, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. EDT

Employee Assistance Program
Combating the Loneliness Epidemic - June 10, 2020, from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EDT

Looking for resources on "Being There" for someone as they are struggling or going through a hard time? See this document for helpful resources.

Leadership
Leading Change from Where you Are"- June 18, 2020, from 1:30-2:30 p.m.

NOS zero waste intiative

The NOS Zero Waste Team was established in 2019 to lead an NOS-wide Zero waste Initiative. The overarching goals of this effort is to reduce the amount of waste, especially single-use items, that we generate in our daily office operations and at NOS events. To do this, the team identified three charges:

Reduce waste in NOS offices and daily operations
Reduce waste at NOS events
Encourage participation from staff across NOS

Participation from all NOS Employees is key to the success of this effort. To learn more about the initiative and access tips and resources, visit the NOS Employee page.

Click here to see the results from January's Zero Waste Assemssement.

blog

NOAA joins federal and state partners in signing MOU on emergency maritime response in Hawaii

NOAA seeks industry feedback as it begins testing the Precision Navigation Data Dissemination prototype

Explore the refreshed ENC-based NOAA Custom Chart tool

Newsletter Archive

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