Applying to use NERC's marine facilities
NERC Moorings Policy
NERC wants to provide the best and most efficient service from the National Marine Equipment Pool (NMEP) for its users. To do this, NERC needs to ensure that the equipment is put to best use, and not exposed to significant risk of loss or damage, although we accept there will always be some risk whenever equipment is deployed at sea.
In order to support this, the Moorings Policy and supporting documentation has been put in place.
Risk Management document (29KB)
Mooring Design Best Practice document (23KB)
Applying
In the first instance you are strongly advised to contact either Paul Provost or Colin Day at NMF-Sea Systems, NOC, Southampton to discuss your mooring equipment requirements.
The Principal Scientist is then required to complete the Risk Management form (see above), and this must be emailed to Vicki Norton at NERC Marine Planning so that the risk assessment process can be initiated. The deadline for receipt of the risk management form is 2 months prior to the closing date of the Responsive Mode grants round, or the Research Programme closing date.
In the first instance the level of risk will be assessed by NMF-Sea Systems. If the risk is considered to be greater than a 'low' level the application will be sent for review by experts in the scientific community - the NERC Expert Scientific Moorings Assessment Group.
NERC Expert Scientific Moorings Assessment Group
The NERC Expert Scientific Moorings Assessment Group has been convened.
The Group's primary purpose is to assist NERC with the review and assessment of applications received from Principal Scientists which request the use of mooring equipment from the NMEP.
Terms of Reference for Moorings Assessment Group (26KB)
This process allows NERC to determine the risk associated with mooring activities in the context of provision of equipment from the NMEP. There will be no peer review of the science.
Membership
Membership as of 25 January 2011 is as follows:
- Andrew Brierley, University of St Andrews
- Mario Paulo Brito, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton
- Peter Enderlein, British Antarctic Survey
- Colin Griffiths, Scottish Association for Marine Science
- Darren Rayner, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton
- Jon Rees, Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science
- Mike Smithson, National Oceanography Centre, Liverpool
- Tim Smyth, Plymouth Marine Laboratory
- Alastair Stagg, Fugro GEOS Ltd
Please direct all enquiries concerning the NERC Moorings Policy and the NERC Expert Scientific Moorings Assessment Group to Vicki Norton at NERC Marine Planning.