European Ocean Research Fleets - uefiscdi

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RV Pourquoi pas?, a Global Research Vessel
Global RV Hesperides crossing the Gerlache strait in Antarctica
Conclusions
This report provides a unique opportunity to present to
European and international decision makers an up-todate
status of European research fleets, and proposes
new steps forward as required by the ambitious mandate
that the OFWG received in 2004.
It has been difficult to gather the data concerning European
fleets to complete the fleet survey. Some of the
information is still missing but the main actors gave
significant inputs to this report and the resulting tables
and figures are clear.
As a whole, European fleets are confirmed as a magnificent
scientific tool, comparable to the US one.
The scientifi c equipment component has been surveyed
for the first time; the European equipment set
is very diverse and foremost in the world.
Overcapacity is not a reality, and renewal remains necessary.
The old Regional fleet – representing 20 ships
in a total of 46 – is in a highly dangerous condition.
This tool box opens a wide range of independent possibilities
for cooperation. It is not a theoretical global
European plan which will never be used.
First of all, as the main funding providers for scientifi c
fleets, a lot of initiatives involving short-term decisions
are proposed to National authorities. European governing
bodies are requested to support some innovative
projects to foster cooperation. The Marine Board
Member Organisations could drive some other initiatives,
such as the launching of new pools of vessels
and equipment.
It is proposed that a lot of other European actors, such
as OFEG, ERVO or EurOcean facilitate the development
of partnerships within Europe as with the USA and the
rest of the world.
The majority of all these key players participate in the
MarinERA project (FP6 ERA-NET project). The OFWG
hopes that some of the recommendations could be further
considered within the frame of MarinERA, and lead
to rapid success.
The OFWG also studied the numerous successful cooperation
schemes; scientific fleets appear as an important
partnership application within Europe.
For section B of the report, the OFWG decided to raise
pragmatic recommendations: eight, concerning ships
and equipment and how to use the existing fleet more
effi ciently; three to widen scientifi c access to it; and
finally, five concerning long-term strategy.
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