SFERPM has purchased a small boat (shallow water catamaran) for Florida Bay research. The boat is a SFERPM program boat and is to be used for SFERPM funded projects only. Any deviation to this rule must be approved by DawnMarie Welcher. Boat scheduling, operation, and maintenance will be a collaborative effort between the SFERPM program office and the RSMAS Marine Department. As such, I anticipate this policy to evolve over time with an occasional revision to meet the needs of our investigators, RSMAS Marine Department, and the SFERPM Program Office.

1. For public relations purposes, the boat will have no UM or NOAA emblem.
2. The RSMAS Marine Department will hold both the boat and trailer titles and will ensure that each is properly insured.
3. The RSMAS Marine Department will be responsible for maintenance and repairs as necessary.
4. The boat will be maintained at NOAA/AOML for security reasons.
5. A limited number of boat operators will be authorized "users" and available "for hire" and will include Dave Forcucci, Jason Masters and Doug Wilson of NOAA/AOML and Larry Kanitz, Dave Powell and Tom Lee of UM/RSMAS.
6. All potential boat operators must be approved/certified by the RSMAS Marine Department. Approval will be based on the ability of the potential operator to prove his/her practical boat handling skills as well as his/her working knowledge of South Florida waters (practical and written). NOAA Corps officers will be exempt from the practical boat handling skills test and are required to take the written local knowledge test only. In addition to RSMAS requirements, all newly approved boat operators will be required to work with Davie Forcucci to get checked out on all scientific gear.

With the exception of an ADCP, the boat will be fully outfitted at all times. Gear will include a thermosalinograph, flourometer, bubble trap, pumps, fathometer, chart plotter, GPS with DGPS unit (antenna), VHF radio, compass, etc (see Appendix V).

1. Scheduling for boat use will be handled through Dave Forcucci (305-361-4543) who will then notify the UM Marine Department.
2. Qualified boat operators must submit a RSMAS Physical Plant Boat Trip Slip form (Appendix III) and, if applicable, a Certification of Self-Insurance form (Appendix IV) to the RSMAS Marine Department 48 hours prior to the use of the boat.
3. All boat operators must "read and heed" UM/RSMAS rules and regulations regarding boat operations and safety (Appendix I), including the RSMAS Diving Policy (Appendix II) if applicable. In addition to UM/RSMAS rules and regulations, the following NOAA rules will apply:
• A four person limit and no more than 800 lbs of gear will be strictly enforced.
• Absolutely no alcoholic beverages will be permitted on the vessel
• During diving operations, there will be a tender on the vessel at all times.
• An approved oxygen delivery system (one hour supply minimum) will be required for all diving operations.
4. The designated boat operator will be responsible for properly stowing gear, washing down the boat, etc., after each use (see Checkout List aboard vessel or Appendices V and VI).

October 7, 1998