When Lamont began full time operation of a research vessel [Vema, 1953] a group of workers was formed to coordinate scientific goals with the management and administration of ships. Through time, the number of ships, their scientific missions and funding mechanisms have evolved, and so too has the exact makeup of the office of marine operations and its links with the scientific community. Over the past three decades, which began with the transition from operations of two vessels [Vema and Conrad] to one, and included replacement of Conrad by Ewing, with its enhanced seismic capabilities, and now replacement of Ewing with R/V Langseth, with its superior seismic and all-purpose capabilities, the management structure has continued to evolve.

Langseth is operated as a national facility within the UNOLS structure, with committees for oversight of operations and scheduling.