Welcome aboard! While you are aboard this ship, your safety and welfare are my responsibility. I take it seriously. The BROWN and her crew are committed to providing the best possible platform for scientific investigation within safe marine practices and the constraints of resource availability. We take pride in our ship and consider it our home. I sincerely hope that the time you spend aboard the BROWN, no matter how short or long, is safe, enjoyable, and highly productive.
To ensure that your stay is a pleasant one, I have outlined the following general information and regulations. These lawful Command policies provide for the safety, comfort, and welfare of all personnel aboard, and ensure that the crew can effectively conduct the ship's mission. I encourage you to read and review these regulations periodically. Conformance with them is not optional. A more comprehensive treatment of these topics may be found in the ship's Standing Orders.
If you have questions concerning Departmental affairs, please contact the appropriate Department Head. For questions about scientific matters, please contact the Chief Scientist. For questions concerning vessel support to scientific operations, please contact the Operations Officer. For all other questions, please contact the Executive Officer or me. We are always available to help you.
The NOAA Ship RONALD H. BROWN is the final ship of the AGOR-24 class oceanographic research vessels, and was built by Halter Marine Incorporated in Moss Point, Mississippi. The keel was laid in 1995, the ship was launched in 1996, and she was placed in commissioned service as a public vessel in July 1997. The ship was originally destined to be called RESEARCHER after the ship she replaced, which served with distinction as a Class I research vessel across the globe for more than 25 years (later renamed MALCOLM BALDRIGE in honor of the late Secretary of Commerce, 1981-1987). During construction, this vessel was renamed RONALD H. BROWN in honor of the Commerce Secretary who perished in a plane crash while on a trade mission in Croatia on April 3, 1996.
The RONALD H. BROWN is a multipurpose oceanographic research vessel, designed to operate in coastal and deep ocean areas to conduct physical, chemical, and biological oceanography, multi-disciplinary environmental investigations, atmospheric research, ocean engineering, marine acoustics, marine geology and geophysics, bathymetric survey, and meteorology. The BROWN is 274 feet long, with a beam of 53 feet, a draft of 17 feet, and a displacement of 3323 tons when fully loaded. The BROWN employs different propulsion technology; she is propelled by two 3000 HP, fixed pitch Z-Drive Propulsors aft and one 1180 HP Azimuthing Jet Type Bow Thruster forward. These propulsion units are powered by three 1500 KW and three 715 KW Diesel Electric Generators on a split bus, which allows economical power generation and distribution as needs change. The ship is capable of a sustained speed of 15 knots. Her endurance is 11,300 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 12 knots, plus 30 days on station. The BROWN can accommodate up to 59 crew and scientists.
The Scientific Computer System (SCS) on board the RONALD H. BROWN uses two Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) 3000 model 700 ALPHA workstations. One ALPHA workstation functions as a data acquisition system (DAS) to collect and record data from a large and diverse suite of shipboard meteorological, navigational, and oceanographic sensors. The second ALPHA workstation serves as a data processing system (DPS) to quality control, analyze, and visualize real-time and archived sensor data. Direct access to the SCS is provided through four Tektronix X-Terminal displays located in the Electronics Lab, Main Oceanographic Laboratory, and on the Bridge, and through a shipboard Local Area Network (LAN) running Windows NT. Some of the sensors that provide data to the DAS are: an RDI Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler, a Magnavox MX-200 GPS Navigator, a Trimble Centurion P-code GPS receiver, an ODEC DSN 450 Doppler Speed Log, a Sea Bird Electronics CTD system, a Thermosalinograph system, and the SEAS XBT/Weather system. Winches, cranes, and booms of varying capacities are available for deploying and recovering scientific instruments and equipment. The ship is also equipped with a SEABEAM 2112 multibeam echo sounding system for bathymetric surveying. More details about the ship and onboard equipment will be furnished upon request.
The following general information and regulations are provided for your guidance. They relate to safety and personal conduct, and provide information on routine shipboard procedures.
1. EMERGENCIES: In the event you detect:
FIRE - CALL the BRIDGE immediately, ACTIVATE the nearest FIRE ALARM, and pass the word before beginning immediate action to fight the fire yourself.
FLOODING - CALL the BRIDGE immediately, and if possible, take immediate action to control flooding.
MAN OVERBOARD -SHOUT "MAN OVERBOARD," THROW a life ring to the victim and CALL the BRIDGE immediately.
MEDICAL EMERGENCY - CALL the BRIDGE
HAZMAT SPILL - CALL the BRIDGE
CALLING THE BRIDGE: Dial 125
PAGING PROCEDURE: Dial 70, wait for tone, then page
2. EMERGENCY DRILLS:
All embarked personnel are required to participate in shipboard emergency drills. Fire and abandon ship drills will be held before 2400 on the day of departure, and weekly thereafter. Assigned stations for emergency drills are listed on the Emergency Station Bill which is posted in the following areas:
In addition, Emergency Station Billet cards for individual personnel are posted in the station billet holders on each bunk or on the stateroom door. Please take the time to locate your Fire Station, your assigned Liferaft, your Lifejacket, and your Survival Suit. The following information pertains to each drill:
FIRE - Fire drills are conducted weekly when at sea. Normally, all hands participate. On board this ship at sea, we are all the fire department! In port, fire drills are conducted weekly for the first 30 days after a cruise, and may be conducted monthly thereafter. The signal for a fire drill is a ten (10) second continuous sounding of the ship's whistle and general alarm, followed by an announcement. If you don't hear the announcement "This is a drill," then the alarm you hear IS NOT A DRILL.
COLLISION - Collision drills are conducted periodically at sea. The signal for a collision is a ten (10) second continuous sounding of the ship's whistle and general alarm, followed by an announcement.
MAN OVERBOARD - Man overboard drills are conducted once quarterly. The signal is three prolonged blasts (4-6 seconds) of the ship's whistle and general alarm.
For FIRE, COLLISION and MAN OVERBOARD drills or emergencies, the scientific complement and visitors will muster in the main labor the mess area. Check your billet cards.
ABANDON SHIP - Abandon ship drills are conducted weekly at sea.
All personnel are required to wear their personal floatation device
(PFD) and bring clothing that fully covers legs and arms, a cover
(i.e., hat), socks, and shoes to their abandon ship station. At least
once per month, survival suits will be donned during the drill. The
signal for an abandon ship drill is a sounding of more than six (6)
short blasts (1-2 seconds) followed by one long blast (6-10 seconds)
of the ship's whistle and general alarm, followed by an announcement.
The locations of abandon ship stations are as follows:
DISMISSAL - At the conclusion of each drill, all hands are dismissed by sounding three short blasts of the ship's whistle and general alarm.
EMBARKED PERSONNEL - Our crew is experienced and well trained, but there are a limited number of us. If you have a particularly useful skill and would like to help, please contact the Operations Officer.
3. RESTRICTED AREAS:
Access to the Bridge when the ship is underway, particularly when entering or leaving port, is limited to watch-standing personnel, except by permission of the Commanding Officer or the Officer of the Deck (OOD). The following spaces are off limits to casual visitors: Galley (during food reparation), freezers, and chill room. The main deck weather decks are off limits during the night while underway. If you must go outside, let the OOD know. Permission to enter engineering space is granted by the Chief Marine Engineer or the Engineer on Watch. See the Chief Marine Engineer should you require use of the engineering workshop.
4. SAFETY EQUIPMENT:
For your safety and the safety of others, please do not borrow tools or equipment from the ship's Damage Control Lockers, or tamper with any safety equipment such as fire hoses, axes, extinguishers, smoke detectors, heat detectors, emergency lights, etc. This equipment must remain in place and in operating condition to ensure your safety.
5. LIGHTS AT NIGHT:
Bridge watchstanders must maintain night vision to ensure safe navigation of the ship. At night, please do not unmask any covered portholes or windows or illuminate white or yellow deck lights without permission from the Bridge. Do not shine flashlights or spotlights toward the Bridge, or light matches on weather decks near the Pilot House.
6. HEAVY WEATHER:
Because the BROWN operates in all oceans and during all seasons, the ship will inevitably encounter heavy weather. When it is too hazardous for personnel to work or venture out on weather decks, all personnel will be restricted to the interior spaces of the ship. At all times, close and dog doors and hatches securely. The doors and hatches aboard this ship are heavy and can be very dangerous if left open or unsecured.
Any alcoholic beverages or controlled substances found aboard in the possession of an individual will be confiscated, and the individual concerned will be subject to disciplinary action. In the case of controlled substances, the individual concerned will be subject to additional penalties by the Federal Government. Arrangements must be made with the Executive Officer to store all alcoholic beverages on board in the ship's secured liquor locker. Alcoholic beverages purchased in foreign ports will also be stored in the secured liquor locker and will be declared to Customs upon entry into a U.S. port.
8. FIREARMS AND OTHER WEAPONS:
Personally owned firearms and any other types of lethal weapons will not be permitted aboard without the advance written approval of the Executive Officer. All approved weapons will be placed for safe keeping in the ship's secured weapons locker. Sheath knives are prohibited.
9. GAMBLING:
Gambling is prohibited on government premises, including NOAA vessels. This includes operation of a gambling device, conducting a lottery or pool, participating in a game for money or property, and setting or purchasing numbers, slips or tickets.
10. SEXUAL LIAISON:
Sexual liaison is prohibited aboard the BROWN. Staterooms occupied by members of one sex are off limits to members of the opposite sex, except when conducting ship's business.
11. SEXUAL HARASSMENT:
The BROWN is a Federal workplace, sexual harassment will NOT be tolerated. Sexual harassment is defined as any conduct that influences, offers to influence, or threatens the career, pay, job, or conditions of employment of another person - male or female - in exchange for sexual favors. Repeated or unsolicited verbal comments, gesture, or physical contact of a sexual nature that are unwelcome also constitute acts of sexual harassment. This includes any conduct that interferes with an individual's work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment for other employees. If necessary, confront the offender and advise him or her that this behavior is not welcome. If the behavior continues, report the incident to your immediate supervisor. There is ZERO TOLERANCE for such conduct.
12. VISITORS:
All visitors must be met at the Quarterdeck by the person being visited. Visitors for the Commanding Officer will be met by the OOD. Visitors shall be escorted at all times while aboard by the person responsible for them. Permission to come aboard will not be granted to intoxicated visitors. Visitors not behaving properly shall be reported to the OOD, who will request that they depart the ship if the OOD considers such action to be justified. All visitors are to be ashore from 2200 - 0700 except by specific permission of the Executive Officer or the Commanding Officer.
For SAFETY reasons, all types of open-toed shoes, clogs, or bare feet are prohibited outside staterooms. Clean clothing, including long or short sleeved shirts, and shoes must be worn in the Galley and ship's mess areas. Proper work shoes and clothes shall be worn during working hours. Hard hats must be worn when handling boats, overhead loads, and gear over the side. Work vests must be worn in small boats. Gloves must be worn when handling wire rope. Goggles, face shield, and rubber gloves must be worn when handling hazardous materials.
14. COMPUTER USE:
When using the computers around the ship, please remember that work is the #1 priority, personal work is second and games are 3rd. Please refrain from using computers designated for crew use. Any disks that are brought on board must be scanned for viruses. Please see the Electronic Technician or Survey Technician before loading a disk onto the computer system.
15. QUARTERS:
Most staterooms aboard ship accommodate two people. Rooms are small. Please be selective with the amount of personal gear that you bring aboard. Each person will have a bunk, a locker, and a reading light. Radio and television antenna terminals, a chair, desk, and bureau are provided in each room. Staterooms are also equipped with wash basins, medicine cabinets, and mirrors. Most rooms have adjoining shared heads and showers. Please be considerate of your neighbors by cleaning up after yourself and by remembering to unlock the door when you are finished. Stateroom power outlets are of the standard marine type (115V/60Hz).
Visiting scientists may occasionally find themselves assigned to a room to be shared with a member of the ship's complement. In this relationship with someone who is conceivably a stranger, courtesy must be the guide. Loud/disturbing noises are to be minimized, particularly when the roommate is trying to sleep (e.g., use headphones when playing the radio, television or sound system). Space for stowing gear is to be made available. Each occupant is entitled to one-half the drawer and closet space in the stateroom.
Refrain from making unnecessary noise in the passageways and the living quarters. Off-watch personnel may be sleeping. Please do not play televisions or music in your stateroom or the ship's lounge so loudly that it disturbs your nearby shipmates.
The cleanliness of your room is YOUR responsibility. Members of the adjoining staterooms will share the cleaning of the common head. Cleaning supplies are located in a locker near each berthing area. Linen exchange will be held once a week, the location and time will be posted prior to sailing. Please clean the room and head prior to leaving. Leave it for the next scientist or guest the way you would like them to leave it for you!
16. MEALS:
Proper attire MUST be worn in the mess areas during meal hours. Persons in bathing suits, abbreviated shorts, barefoot, or without shirts will not be seated or served.
Meal times are as follows:
17. SMOKING:
Smoking is prohibited except on weather decks. Please place all cigarette butts in an ashtray and do not leave ashtrays lying around the ship. Heed the "NO SMOKING" signs posted around the ship. They will be enforced. If smoking near living quarters, please refrain from loud conversation as off-duty watchstanders may be sleeping.
18. FRESH WATER:
The ship has a limited capacity to carry and generate freshwater.
The ship's Reverse Osmosis system will be adequate to satisfy normal
shipboard demands for drinking, cooking, and washing. When a large
number of people are embarked on the ship, every effort must be made
to conserve water. In your personal use, please consider the precious
nature of this resource and the inconveniences that will occur if
rationing or severe restrictions must be implemented. The following
prudent practices should always be observed:
Only dispose of toilet paper into the ship's heads. Do NOT dispose of non-paper items, filter tips from cigarettes, heavy paper towels, sanitary napkins, other foreign materials, or unapproved cleaning agents into the ship's heads. Such material will invariably clog the system and inconvenience everyone. IF IT ISN'T TOILET PAPER AND IT HASN'T PASSED THROUGH YOUR MOUTH, DO NOT PUT IT IN THE COMMODE.
20. AIR CONDITIONING:
The ship has a limited capacity to cool and dehumidify interior spaces. Please keep all doors and hatches that access an air conditioned space closed. Your stateroom will be cooler as a result.
21. LAUNDRY:
Washing machines and dryers are located by the reefer flats (Tank Top Deck), one deck below the aft scientific berthing area. Detergent and dryer sheets are available. To help conserve freshwater, please wait until you have a full load of laundry instead of washing small loads. Please do not put rubberized articles, such as tennis shoes in the dryers. Remove all objects from pockets. Coins, cigarettes, pens, and papers make a mess of your clothes, and damage the washers and dryers. PLEASE remove your clothes promptly so that someone else may use the machines. The laundry may be secured from time to time because of operational requirements or restrictions on freshwater usage.
22. TRASH DISPOSAL:
Do not dispose of trash or garbage over the side unless clearance to do so has been granted by the OOD or the Executive Officer. Explosive or flammable material shall not be thrown overboard unless permission has been granted by the Commanding Officer or Executive Officer. Disposal of plastics over the side is prohibited at all times. There are separate containers around the ship for aluminum cans and plastics. Please use them and set up containers for separating your room trash also. The cooperation of all hands in implementing this policy will contribute to safe, efficient, and environmentally compliant disposal of our wastes. Remember, NOAA is an environmental steward agency.
23. MEDICAL AFFAIRS:
The Executive Officer, by law, is the ship's Medical Officer. The ship's designated medical care provider will generally be a trained Emergency Medical Technician. Sick Call is in the Hospital on the 02 Deck, hours will be posted prior to sailing and will vary by leg. If an illness or injury should occur after working hours, contact the O.O.D. or the Executive Officer. In addition, other members of the ship's complement are Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) or CPR/First Aid certified.
ALL INJURIES WHICH OCCUR ON BOARD THIS SHIP ARE CONSIDERED ON-THE -JOB INJURIES, AND MUST BE ADMINISTERED AS SUCH.
Please ensure that you bring your own prescription medicines, if required. A limited amount of over-the-counter medicines (e.g. seasick pills, aspirin/Tylenol, bandages, etc.) are available from the ship's Medical Officer or EMT.
SEASICKNESS: Many people are susceptible to seasickness, even experienced sailors. Often there is an initial acclimation period lasting a few hours to a few days when the ship first gets underway or runs into rough weather. Many people, however, may never get completely acclimated to the movement of a ship. Whether or not you get seasick depends on physiological factors associated with your inner ear, not on any weakness. If you do not get seasick, consider yourself lucky. Empathize with those who may. Although some people may be reluctant to seek medical help for fear of embarrassment, medication may be the only way to make a cruise bearable. If you think you may be prone to seasickness, the time to visit the EMT is before the ship gets underway. You may want to delay taking your medication to see if your body will adjust, but if you have a particularly bad case then you may have trouble keeping your medicine down. It's usually better to be safe than sorry. If you do feel the need to throw up at any time, immediately find the lee side (the side away from the wind) of the weather deck or the nearest toilet (not the sink!). Most importantly, if you do vomit, YOU are responsible for cleaning it up! Would you want to clean up after someone else?
24. RECREATION:
Cruises on the BROWN are usually long. A number of recreational diversions are available for your enjoyment. Videotape movies are shown twice nightly on the ship's TV system (at 1730 and 2000). The movie schedule is posted on the bulletin board on each deck and is announced each evening at 1730. Puzzles, cards and board games may be found in the lounge and mess area. Please refrain from engaging in noisy activities while in the Library as this is a space generally reserved for reading and working..
An exercise room is located on the port side Platform Deck (below Main Deck), between the engine room and the winch room. Stationary bicycles, a treadmill, rowing machine, universal weight machine, free weights, and a punching bag are available for your use.
Sunbathing is permitted on "steel beach," located on the 03 level forward. Please do not use ship's linens, blankets, life jackets, etc., to sunbathe. Appropriate attire must be worn. The tropical sun can cause sunburn of exposed flesh in as little as one hour. All sunbathers should wear sunscreen as necessary. At times, fishing will be permitted off the Main Deck. Occasional swim calls may be held, at the discretion of the Commanding Officer. Cookouts on the fantail are held occasionally.
Please feel free to use mess facilities, including the refrigerators, coffee machines, and microwave ovens. Request a briefing from the Steward Department on their use. Remember, everyone is responsible for cleaning up his/her mess after food preparation.
25. SHIP'S STORE:
The Ship's Store is located on 01 Deck just aft of the galley. The store carries a limited amount of clothing, ship's hats and T-shirts, toilet articles, film, soda, candy and other small items. Usually, the store is open daily, hours will be posted. An announcement is made when the store is open. The soda and candy machines are located in the Main Lab. Containers for aluminum cans are found in various locations around the ship. PLEASE RECYCLE.
During your stay aboard ship you will be in contact with the
following ship's officers and department heads;
These people have primary responsibilities for the management and operation of this vessel. Each is available to assist you as required.
27. INSPECTIONS:
The Commanding Officer is required to conduct a monthly inspection of the entire ship, including berthing areas, food service areas, and lounges. These inspections are usually announced beforehand.
28. PAGING AND CALLING:
Paging is available from phones throughout the ship. Please limit use of this system from 0700 to 2000, and only when really necessary. Most people can be found by directly dialing to their stateroom or office. All external communications must be approved by the Commanding Officer. For embarked scientific personnel, please see the Chief Scientist if you want to send a message. An exception to this is direct outgoing INMARSAT phone calls. The cost is $10.00 per minute with a $30.00 minimum charge. Each person making personal outgoing calls is responsible for his/her own phone bill. Ensure that you hang up the handset, because charges will accrue until the connection is broken.
29. EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS:
When we are at sea, personal satellite telephone calls can be made to the ship by dialing 154-2643. Facsimile messages may be sent via satellite by 154-2644. Messages can also be left with the Atlantic Marine Center Operations Division on weekdays from 0730-1600 at 757-441-6206. The BROWN's phone number while in homeport is not yet determined. The BROWN's cellular phone number is 757-
30. MAIL:
To receive mail, use the following address:
NOAA Ship RONALD H. BROWN
439 W. York St
Norfolk, VA 23510
31. PETS:
No pets, except pet rocks, are allowed aboard.