How to schedule and plan your cruise

These are the steps required to request and plan for a cruise aboard a Scripps research vessel. If you have any questions, please contact the Scripps Ship Scheduling Office.

When you request funding:
Submit a UNOLS Ship Time Request Form
Remember to request travel funds to attend a precruise meeting in San Diego.

After you are funded:
Request foreign clearances at least 7 months before cruise: email Elizabeth Brenner - SIO Ship Scheduler/Clearance Officer
Request a precruise meeting at SIO: email Elizabeth Brenner - SIO Ship Scheduler/Clearance Officer
Request portable laboratory vans: UNOLS maintains shared-use vans available on first-come basis that you need to reserve. For assistance, email SIO Research Technician Group

Before your precruise meeting:
Submit a cruise plan: email Ship Scheduling Office
Submit a cruise planning guide: RTF format | XLS
Read and submit a Scripps Data Distribution form: PDF format
Contact SIO technicians regarding
    Loading plan for deck & interior spaces: email SIO Research Technician Group
    Special fabrication or engineering needs: email SIO Research Technician Group
    Winch & wire needs: email SIO Research Technician Group
    Customs requirements for scientific equipment: email SIO Research Technician Group
Shipping gear to the vessel? Please refer to these instructions:
    Scientific shipments to SIO vessels
    Are you subject to US export control restrictions? Read the UCSD guidelines on export control.
Deploying a buoy? The USCG requires that PIs follow certain guidelines.
    Read: USCG Rules for deploying buoys
Using isotopes? If so, please read the following:
    Isotope use aboard SIO research vessel
    Request to use isotopes aboard SIO vessels (SIO scientists): Fillable PDF form
    Request an Isotope Laboratory Van: email Gary Lain - SIO Radiation Safety Officer
Planning to use scientific diving in your program? If so, please read and submit the following:
    Submit a vessel dive plan: PDF
    README: SIO diving safety manual
    Discuss your plan with the SIO Diving Officer: email Christian McDonald
Planning to use your own portable winch and oceanographic wire?
    You need to comply with UNOLS safety standards:
    Information about the standards
    Discuss your equipment with the Marine Superintendent: email Zoltan Kelety

One month prior to sailing:
Submit U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners (SIO Ship Scheduling can assist you): USCG web site
Obtain clearance to work inside U.S. Navy operations areas: email SIO Ship Scheduling Office
    (see Southern California Naval Operations page)

Two weeks prior to sailing:
Submit your scientific party list online:
    Read these instructions regarding our web-based scientific party list form
    Click here to open the online scientific party list form
Submit these documents to SIO Ship Scheduling:
    Signed agreement on Alcohol, Drugs and Sexual Harassment Aboard SIO Vessels: PDF
    UC Waiver of Liability (if necessary): PDF

Give to the Captain when you board the vessel:
Physical Ability to Work at Sea: PDF
Medical History Questionnaire (this form is voluntary): PDF

Submit these immediately after your cruise:
UNOLS post-cruise assessment: Web-based form
Foreign clearance preliminary cruise report (send to SIO Ship scheduling): PDF | MS Word