Great Lakes Association of Science Ships looks ahead to the 2014 season
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EmailMichigan Sea Grant Extension will present information on the Coordinated Onboard Education and Outreach Project (COEOP) as part of the 18th Annual Science Vessel Coordination Workshop.
Great Lakes science vessels work on a freshwater sea of more than 94,000 square miles helping scientists, educators and resource managers understand, restore and protect a global treasure. Michigan Sea Grant Extension will collaborate with Grand Valley State University and the Inland Seas Education Association to present information on Year 1 accomplishments of the Coordinated Onboard Education and Outreach Project (COEOP) as part of the 18th Annual Science Vessel Coordination Workshop, sponsored by the International Joint Commission and the Great Lakes Association of Science Ships. The meeting will run from 8:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2014 at the Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City.
COEOP is collaboration between Michigan State University Extension, Michigan Sea Grant, Grand Valley State University’s Annis Water Resources Institute and the 
Inland Seas Education Association. Conducted statewide and funded by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes National Program Office, COEOP’s goals are to advance Great Lakes Literacy and support the coordinated implementation of Lakewide Management Plans, Programs, and Projects on Lakes Michigan, Huron, St. Clair, and Erie, and the Detroit River. This presentation will focus on vessel-based education accomplishments during the project’s first year. Michigan Sea Grant Extension’s Great Lakes Education Program and Summer Discovery Cruises are critical components of this collaborative project.
Workshop presentations will include:
- GLASS Update: a) New IJC Committee structure under GLWQA, b) Expanded role of the Science Advisory Board, c) Research Coordination Committee – Mark Burrows, International Joint Commission
- Boat Captain’s Roundtable: a) Use of technology on research vessels, b) Improvements to safety and operational efficiency - Moderator: Brandon Bastar, WI Dept. of Natural Resources
- Plans for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate the sharing of crew amongst research vessels in the U.S. and Canada - Moderator: Bob Lambe, Great Lakes Fisheries Commission; Representatives from U.S. Geological Survey; U.S. Coast Guard; Department of Fisheries and Oceans/Canadian Coast Guard, and Transport Canada
- Update from Managers and Scientists: Brief description of the past year’s work and plans for 2014 - Moderator: Chris Marvin, Environment Canada
- Update on experiences with newly built research vessels and plans for new vessels in the U.S. and Canada – Moderator: Joe Walters
- Advances in Onboard Education and Outreach Projects – Fred Sitkins, Inland Seas; Steve Stewart, Michigan Sea Grant Extension; and Janet Vail, Grand Valley State University
- Developments in Alternative Fuels – Dennis Donohue, NOAA
- Certification of the Pride of Michigan to Carry Passengers for Hire - Luke Clyburn, Noble Odyssey Foundation
This workshop is open to all, and there is no charge to participants. A detailed agenda is posted on the Great Lakes Association of Science Ships website.
