Navigation managers attend Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association meeting
Kyle Ward presenting at the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway
Association meeting.
Southeast Navigation Manager
Kyle Ward and
James Kirkpatrick, Navigation Response Team (NRT) Fernandina, attended the annual
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association (AIWA) meeting on November 17 and 18 in Jacksonville, Florida. The AIWA, which bills itself as the voice of the Intracoastal Waterway, consists of tug companies, recreational boaters, ship yards, local governments, and others interested in a well maintained and safe waterway. This year's meeting focused on how funds were used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to maintain the waterway and how the federal government can work with local stakeholders effectively. James and Kyle took turns presenting on NRT capabilities, recent survey projects adjacent to the waterway, coordination with federal partners and updates to the nautical charting system. Attendance at this meeting also provided critical opportunities to identify potential external source datasets and to reinforce the message that the prudent mariner should no longer be relying on the raster nautical chart. For more information contact
Kyle.Ward@noaa.gov.
Navigation Response Branch on U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star
Members of the Navigation Response Team stand in front of
the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star. Shown standing left to
right is Annie Raymond, Colin McMillian, and Michael Bloom.
Three members of the Navigation Response Branch, Physical Scientists
Annie Raymond and
Michael Bloom, and
Ensign Colin McMillian, are aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter
Polar Star, bound for McMurdo Station, Antarctica. They are sailing southward from Hawaii aboard the icebreaker in support of a collaborative project between NOAA, the U.S. Coast Guard, the
National Science Foundation, and the country of New Zealand. Once they arrive on station – along with 16 cases of hydrographic equipment – they will begin collecting high density multibeam data in Winter Quarters Bay. The data will be used as the baseline to expand the current pier space at McMurdo, with the ultimate aim of increasing the safety of ships bringing supplies, equipment, and researchers. For more information contact
Cheif.NRB.OCS@noaa.gov.
NOAA participates in nationwide Girl Scout event
The presenters included: top left to right: Paige Doelling, Ph.D.,
Rita Bowker, Lesley Stokes. Bottom left to right: Kimberly
Roberson, Ensign Jessica Spruill, and Donna Farnham
(Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast).
NOAA participated in a nationwide Girl Scout event on December 2, with the help of the
Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast (Virginia). The event, From Sea to Sky: An Evening of Discovering Your Career with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), was hosted by five women scientists from different NOAA offices.
Rita Bowker (
Office of Coast Survey),
Lesley Stokes (
National Marine Fisheries Service),
Paige Doelling, Ph.D. (
Office of Response and Restoration),
Kimberly Roberson (
Office of National Marine Sanctuaries), and
Ensign Jessica Spruill (
Office of Marine and Aviation Operations) presented on the critical roles their offices play in maintaining and protecting our nation’s most important resources. This online event included 42 Girl Scouts who ranged from Juniors (grades 4-5) to Ambassadors (grades 11-12), from various U.S. cities, including Virginia Beach and Norfolk, Virginia; Aston and Lansdale, Pennsylvania; Berkeley Heights, New Jersey; and Valley Center, Kansas. Presenters described their backgrounds, education, and why they were drawn to careers at NOAA. They discussed how they planned projects, made and recorded observations, analyzed data, showed how their specific work can help change the world, and provided some calls to action for citizen scientists. These sessions helped the girls take steps towards earning badges and hopefully ignited the dreams of the next generation of NOAA’s women scientists! Questions at the end varied and were answered by the panel. One question that made the panel smile was, “How do dolphins hatch?” A great lesson to take away from the next generation – never be afraid to ask questions and learn. For more information please contact
Rita.S.Bowker@noaa.gov.
Bird on deck! NOAA survey vessel rescues pelican
The pelican resting on the deck of the Fairweather.
In the dark early morning hours of October 8, NOAA Ship
Fairweather was in transit off the coast of California near Oxnard when
Captain Jay Lomnicky heard a loud crash originating near the ship's deck. Upon investigation, the source of the commotion turned out to be a juvenile brown pelican which had collided with the ship’s superstructure. The pelican displayed no signs of injury but seemed dazed and was unable to fly. Knowing that brown pelicans are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the crew immediately began searching for help for this bird. Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network (SBWCN) was the closest wildlife rehabilitator to the ship, and agreed to coordinate with the crew in transporting this pelican. In addition to being 10 miles off the coast,
Fairweather was also working within an isolation bubble as a COVID-19 precaution, and could not have direct contact with anyone outside of the ship. With some coordination, a small boat was able to deliver the pelican to the Santa Barbara Harbor the very next day, and SBWCN brought it directly into care. Many thanks to
Fairweather's crew for stepping in to help! For more information contact
CoastSurveyCommunications@noaa.gov.
Coast Survey presents at navigation technology conference
Navigation Services Division Chief
Julia Powell and Navigation Manager
Nicolas Alvarado attended the
Navtech Conference last week. This conference covers a variety of navigational topics that affect vessel operating companies, mariners, ports, government regulators, and policy makers. Coast Survey presented its Precision Marine Navigation program as part of its continued stakeholder engagement to inform the broader community of the program's benefits and future plans. For more information contact
Julia.Powell@noaa.gov.
2022 Canadian Hydrographic Conference call for abstracts
The call for abstracts to participate in the
Canadian Hydrographic Conference is now open. You are warmly invited to
submit an abstract of recent research, development project or innovative field work findings for either an oral or a poster presentation. The deadline for abstract submission is February 6, 2022. The conference will be held on June 6-9, 2022 in Gatineau, Canada – virtual participation will also be possible. Join professionals from all over the world, and be part of an open and inclusive dialogue on emerging research and good practices in hydrography!
The 2021 Combined Federal Campaign is in full swing
Since the establishment of the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) by President Kennedy in 1961, we’ve come a long way. Generous federal employees have come together to support causes important to them by raising over $8.5 billion in pledges to local, national, and international charities over the last 60 years. The kickoff for the 2021 CFC started on October 19, 2021 and runs through January 15, 2022. This year, we’re excited to announce a new
Department of Commerce website for you to learn about events and the status of the campaign through January 15, 2022.
Giving through the CFC helps each of us leave a lasting impact in our world. You can learn more and donate at
GiveCFC.org. Be on the lookout for upcoming Department CFC events and other ways to give back this year— whether it’s through giving, volunteering, engaging at events, or sharing your story.
Staff Updates
Mojgan (Mojy) Rostaminia, Ph.D.
Mojgan (Mojy) Rostaminia, Ph.D., joined the Coast Survey Development Lab/Coastal Marine Modeling Branch on November 22 as a physical scientist to support VDatum development efforts. She has over 11 years of experience conducting ocean and estuarine environmental studies using numerical models. Most recently, Mojy worked as a physical scientist with Lynker supporting the Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services modeling team where she worked on ocean modeling projects of importance to the National Ocean Service. Mojy received her doctorate in Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean and Estuary track at Oregon Health and Science University, and her master’s degree in Physical Oceanography and her bachelor’s degree in Solid State Physics in Iran. Welcome to Coast Survey Mojy!
Castle (Gene) Parker
Castle (Gene) Parker is retiring after 34 years of dedicated service to NOAA! As a cornerstone of hydrographic knowledge and expertise, Gene helped shape the Office of Coast Survey for over three decades and mentored countless hydrographers along the way. He is retiring from his position as Hydrographic Team Lead at the Atlantic Hydrographic Branch at the end of December. Gene leaves Coast Survey with very big shoes to fill but also leaves an indelible mark of his passion for hydrography. We all wish him the very best in his retirement! If you'd like to leave a note for Gene, the branch has set up a
Kudoboard.
