Science
at Sea

Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego operates one of the world's largest academic research fleets.

About Ships

The vessels managed by Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego play a critical role in exploring our planet and conducting important research in all the world's oceans.

EMERGENCY CONTACT

Nimitz Marine Facility security duty officer, who may be reached night or day.

MAIN OFFICE TELEPHONE
(858) 534-1639

MOBILE PHONE (IF MAIN LINE DOES NOT ANSWER)
(858) 344-9841

ADDITIONAL CONTACTS

Our Research
Vessels

R/V Sally Ride

R/V Roger Revelle

R/V Robert Gordon Sproul

R/V Bob and Betty Beyster

Scripps Oceanography Ship Operations &
Marine Technical Support

Nimitz Marine Facility

The support and management center for Scripps's fleet

Cruise Planning

These are the steps required to request and plan for a cruise aboard a Scripps research vessel.

Shipboard Technical Support

Providing specialized expertise, personnel, instrumentation, and support

UC Ship Funds Program

Enabling access to the sea for students, faculty, and staff

Contacts

Key phone numbers and other contact information

AUXILIARY PROGRAMS

Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego provides two supplementary programs to advance student expertise and safety while conducting science in the ocean.

Scientific Diving Program

Small Boating Program

Data

Ship Tracker

Locations of Scripps ships

View the UNOLS tracker

Rolling Deck to Repository (R2R)

Current and archived data collected by the Scripps research fleet and other vessels.

Access ship data

Geological Data Center

Data from Scripps cruises, pre—2006

Delve into the Geological Data Center

News

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Oct 30, 2023

Diving Sector Could Hold the Key to Advancing UN Sustainable Development Goals

Oct 27, 2023

Meltwater Flowing Beneath Antarctic Glaciers May Be Accelerating Their Retreat

Oct 19, 2023

Star studded team successfully spawns three Sunflower Sea Stars at Birch Aquarium at Scripps

R/V Roger Revelle and R/V Sally Ride are operated by Scripps Institution of Oceanography under a charter agreement with the Office of Naval Research. These ships are part of six major oceanographic research vessels owned by the U.S. Navy and operated within the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System as shared-use research facilities.

The U.S. National Science Foundation provides major support of research vessels at Scripps. The National Science Foundation is the primary U.S. federal agency supporting research at the frontiers of knowledge, across all fields of science and engineering (S&E) and all levels of S&E education. Important support for research vessel operations at Scripps Institution of Oceanography is supported by the National Science Foundation (including awards 1119644, 1212770, 1227624, and 1321002).

UNOLS provides a primary forum through which the ocean research and education community, research facility operators and the supporting Federal agencies work cooperatively to improve access, scheduling, operation, and capabilities of current and future academic oceanographic facilities.

Science at Sea