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Greetings, Shipmates!
Much has happened since our last issue. Our biggest news of late is that NOAA Rear Adm. Chad Cary was selected to lead the NOAA Corps and NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations. We’re looking forward to his continued leadership in this role. Congratulations also goes to Rear Adm. Amanda Goeller, who was selected to be the deputy director for operations and the NOAA Corps.
Additionally, Vice Adm. Nancy Hann has taken on a new position as NOAA’s deputy under secretary for operations.
In addition to leadership changes, we have hit some exciting milestones. These include the launch of Oceanographer, one of two new oceanographic vessels currently under construction for NOAA, and the naming of Surveyor and Navigator, two new charting and mapping vessels we will also be adding to the fleet. We have also broken ground on two new facilities. We invite you to read about those events, some of the science missions we’ve been working on, and some of the people who make our missions a success in this issue
As a reminder, we’d appreciate your help in spreading the word about and subscribing to this newsletter. Anyone can subscribe by clicking here.
Be a good shipmate!
Capt. Jesse Stark, NOAA Corps
Director of Marine Operations
NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations
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In May, NOAA held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new facility on Naval Station Newport in Rhode Island that will serve as the future home of the NOAA Marine Operations Center-Atlantic. The facility will include a pier to accommodate four large vessels, a floating dock for smaller vessels, space for vessel repairs and parking and a building to be used for shoreside support and as a warehouse. Construction is anticipated to be completed in 2027.
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In July, NOAA officials were joined by regional partners to break ground on renovations at the agency’s pier facility in North Charleston, South Carolina. The project is expected to be completed in 2026. The renovations will include demolishing and building a new pier that includes shoreside power for ships, as well as a warehouse, sea wall, and other supporting infrastructure. This project will enable NOAA ships Ronald H. Brown and Nancy Foster to have a designated place to dock and better accommodate NOAA research missions in the Atlantic. Both ships are homeported in Charleston.
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After transitioning the DriX uncrewed marine system to operations for hydrographic surveys in 2023, NOAA has put its newest operational platform to work. This year, the DriX was integrated with NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson in support of their hydrographic surveys of the approaches to Savannah, Georgia. Learn what two days of operations look like for the DriX and its support team.
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This field season five teachers joined scientists aboard NOAA ships as members of the science team. Since 1990, more than 850 educators have sailed as Teachers at Sea on NOAA or NOAA-partnered vessels. The online application for the 2025 season will be available on Nov. 1, 2024. More details and a preview application can be found online.
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NOAA Ship Ferdinand R. Hassler and its crew of 14 have returned to their homeport in New Castle, New Hampshire following a successful 18 month hydrographic survey mission. The ship conducted detailed seafloor mapping in the waters surrounding Cape Fear, North Carolina and the Elizabeth River, Virginia. The ship also recently began a new charting mission in the Gulf of Maine.
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Meet the Crew
The NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps is one of the nation’s eight uniformed services. With approximately 330 officers and growing, the NOAA Corps supports nearly all of NOAA’s programs and missions, and are an integral part of NOAA’s marine operations. Meet some NOAA Corps officers who support marine operations:
Rear Adm. Ben Evans, Director, NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey
Lt. Cmdr. Rachel Pryor, Executive Officer, NOAA Ship Oregon II
Lt. Tim Montera, Operations Manager, Marine Operations Center - Atlantic
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Our professional mariner workforce is the backbone of our fleet and crucial to safe and effective ship operations. Get a glimpse into the life of a NOAA mariner. Meet our mariners:
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Heritage
Many brave and brilliant people have served on NOAA ships — but did you know that their loyal pets and mascots used to serve with them?
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Featured Photo
 NOAA Corps officers visited Thoma-Sea shipyard in Houma, Louisiana to preview the construction of two new ships being built for NOAA, the Oceanographer (pictured here) and Discoverer. Credit: NOAA
On the Horizon
Fleet Update
For a summary of NOAA ship operations during July and August, click here.
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