Change of command for NOAA Ship Ferdinand R. Hassler
Lt. Cmdr. Blankenship gives remarks at the NOAA Ship
Ferdinand R. Hassler change of command ceremony.
On December 17, 2018, the crew of NOAA Ship
Ferdinand R. Hassler hosted a change of command while moored in its homeport of New Castle, New Hampshire.
Lt. Cmdr. Mark A. Blankenship accepted command of
Hassler, relieving
Cmdr. Matthew J. Jaskoski in a ceremony led by
Capt. David Zezula, commanding officer of NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) Marine Operations Center - Atlantic. Lt. Cmdr. Blankenship takes command as the fifth Commanding Officer since the ship was commissioned. Cmdr. Jaskoski leaves behind an impressive legacy, including emergency response to hurricanes Matthew and Florence, completion of five hydrographic projects encompassing 22 hydrographic survey sheets, and successful completion of three major repair periods. For more information contact Lt. Cmdr. Megan R. Guberski at
XO.Ferdinand.Hassler@noaa.gov.
Coast Survey attends the American Geophysical Union annual conference
Hollings Scholar, Paul Campion, presents his poster at the
AGU conference in Washington, DC.
Last month, Coast Survey presented a number of posters and talks at the
American Geophysical Union (AGU) annual conference. The AGU conference provides an opportunity for Coast Survey to share advances in research and project accomplishments among an audience of earth and atmospheric scientists. Coast Survey topics covered a the conference included:
The important role of international standards in transforming maritime data into usable information for e-Navigation: methods and application (Coast Survey Development Lab (CSDL));
Developing skill assessment and performance metrics for the National Ocean Service’s Operational Storm Surge Model Forecasting Systems (CSDL);
Modeling tidal datums and spatially varying uncertainties in New York Bight, Hudson River, Long Island Sound, and Narragansett Bay (CSDL);
Utilizing multibeam sonar water column data to interpret fish populations and structure over shallow-water historic wrecks (Hydrographic Surveys Division and partners); and
An Analysis of Bathymetric Sounding Density to Inform Ocean Mapping Strategies (Coast Survey and partners).
HSD also had a poster submitted by Hollings Scholar,
Paul Campion, who worked on NOAA Ship
Fairweather for the summer. His poster was titled, "Chart comparison and change analysis for Alaskan Hydrographic Surveys." For more information on specific presentations and presenters contact Coast Survey's Technical Director
Neil.Weston@noaa.gov.
Navigation Response Teams
All NRTs are in their respective homeports assessing their boats, vehicles, trailers, and survey systems. No projects are planned in the near term. Bay Hydro II is alongside undergoing annual/routine maintenance and planning a contracted repair period.
Staff Updates
Akim Mahmud
HSD welcomes
Akim Mahmud to the Operations Branch as a hydrographic data technician. His primary job responsibilities include assisting in-house project managers in planning and overseeing hydrographic survey operations. He helps project managers and senior team members with researching historical information, survey requests, completing environmental compliance requirements, and other relevant information to define a survey project area and develop draft project instructions using GIS and other tools. He received his bachelor of science degree in earth and atmospheric sciences from the City College of New York with a minor in economics. He completed his master's in marine science from the Coastal Carolina University with a focus on coastal and marine geology. Akim is currently enrolled in the advanced GIS program at Johns Hopkins University.
Angelina Ponella
HSD also welcomes
Angelina Ponella (ERT) as a new hydrographic data technician at the Atlantic Hydrographic Branch. Angelina recently graduated from the College of Charleston in May 2018.
Sophie Alpert
HSD also welcomes
Sophie Alpert (ERT) as a new hydrographic data technician at the Atlantic Hydrographic Branch. Sophie graduated from the College of Charleston and was an explorer in traning on NOAA Ship
Okeanos Explorer.
Lt. Damian Manda
The Coast Survey Development Lab (CSDL) welcomes
Lt. Damian Manda as the new chief of the Hydrographic Systems and Technology Branch. Lt. Manda comes to CSDL from NOAA Ship
Fairweather where he served as the operations officer. He also served aboard NOAA Ship
Rainier as a junior officer. Lt. Manda holds an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from the University of Colorado and a master's in ocean engineering from the University of New Hampshire.
Lt. Cmdr. William Winner
The Marine Chart Division welcomes
Lt. Cmdr. William Winner as the new chief of Products Group I. Lt. Cmdr. Winner previously served as the executive officer of NOAA Ship
Rainier. He holds a bachelor of science and master's degree in environmental science from Taylor University and a master of business admnistration from University of Maryland University College.