The New Marcus Langseth Science Oversight Committee

In October UNOLS voted to create the Marcus Langseth Science Oversight Committee (MLSOC), a new UNOLS committee designed to oversee science and ship operations for a national oceanographic seismic facility. The UNOLS steering committee in charge of establishing MLSOC consisted of Marcia McNutt (chair), Jamie Austin, John Collins, Cindy Van Dover, and Graham Kent. Marcia McNutt presented an overview, summarized here, of the charge of MLSOC at the Langseth Town Hall Meeting at the AGU Fall Meeting in San Francisco last week.

The R/V Marcus Langseth (pictured) will be operated as a UNOLS vessel and as a national oceanographic facility. MLSOC was born out of the desire by the science community and NSF for a "DESSC like" oversight committee that would provide advice to LDEO and the funding agencies regarding the operation of the facility. MLSOC was established under Annex II of the UNOLS charter and has the authority to establish subcommittees when needed.

Specifically, the purpose of MLSOC is to maintain state-of-the-art acquisition capability, lower the threshold of expertise needed to use the facility, increase the quality and accessibility of data, and maintain and enhance the Langseth's capabilities for general geophysical and oceanographic work. The responsibilities of the committee are to provide advice on scientific programs; forecast future operations locations to encourage world-wide research; provide advice on scheduling issues, including coordination with OBS and PASSCAL facilities; address user concerns; review technical capabilities; identify and recommend expansion and upgrades; monitor issues related to permitting; and report on activities and recommendations.

Nine voting members on MLSOC will include 4 MCS experts to provide the leadership and core expertise for the committee; 2 users of MCS information, but not specialists to bring down the level of expertise needed to use the facility successfully; 1 representative from the seismic industry; 1 general ship user; and 1 marine mammal specialist. Lamont-Doherty scientists and staff may participate on MLSOC as non-voting members. Federal agency representatives may also participate in MLSOC meetings and activities.

An initial slate of MLSOC members was suggested by the UNOLS Steering Committee to be appointed by the UNOLS Chair. The member terms of appointment will be three years, staggered with no more than two consecutive terms. Ex-Officio members will be appointed by Lamont-Doherty and UNOLS standing committees. It is estimated that there will be at least two MLSOC meetings per year, with one meeting held in an open forum, such as during the Fall AGU Meeting, to allow broad input from the user community. The second meeting will be generally devoted to scheduling issues, permitting, advising on specific programs, and other near-term issues, and should occur in the late spring or early summer. Additional meetings might need to be held at the beginning of the program or under unusual circumstances.