Senator Mark Begich: National Science Foundation Funds Alaska Research Vessel

Recovery Act money will greatly enhance Arctic research

May 27, 2009 -- The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced today that it has made its first major award under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to help construct the Alaska Region Research Vessel (ARRV). The ARRV is a 242-foot ship, to be operated by the University of Alaska Fairbanks, with a hull designed specifically to operate in seasonal Arctic sea ice and open waters surrounding Alaska.

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"This research vessel will be a boon to science and the state of Alaska and will help solidify the University of Alaska's preeminence as America's Arctic University," Senator Mark Begich said. "This ship will help scientists better understand climate change, ocean acidification, the melting of the Arctic Ice Cap and the impacts on our fisheries and communities."

The NSF issued a solicitation for construction and operation of the research vessel in November 2006. In 2007, UAF was selected to lead the effort, including all tests and science trials. The ship is expected to be completed in 2013, with science operations beginning in 2014. According to UAF's proposal, the ship will be headquartered out of the Seward Marine Center.

"We are pleased that our first major award under the Recovery Act will allow NSF to invest in such a large-scale project that will have immediate and long-term benefits to the American economy," said NSF Director Arden Bement, Jr. "With rapid changes occurring in the Arctic region, the ARRV will greatly improve our ability to monitor and asses these changes in a timely and safe manner for the benefit of our nation and the world."

According to the NSF and UAF, the research vessel will be the first in the U.S. academic research fleet capable of breaking ice up to 2.5 feet thick, and will open up the ice-choked waters of the Alaska region to scientists from all over the world. It will carry more than 500 researchers and students annually. The three-year construction phase of the project will support 4,350 jobs; 750 directly at the shipyard and as many as 3,600 in the broader economy. The NSF has stated it will make sure the ARRV is built in a U.S. shipyard.

"At a time when the Arctic is a growing area of concern and attention, this is great news," Sen. Begich added. "In addition to the huge benefit to Arctic research, thousands of jobs across the country will be generated by this important project."

Sen. Begich is the only member of Alaska's congressional delegation who voted in favor of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Source: Senator Mark Begich