Cruise Planning Policies

Introduction

Policies for specific aspects of cruise planning are addressed on the appropriate page and are linked to below.  General policies and those not listed elsewhere are covered here.  Please also familiarize yourself with the cruise participant policies page which contains important information on policies pertaining to all personnel on the ship.

Policy References

• Permits - Permitting policies are addressed on the Permits page

• Due dates - Due dates are outlined on the Cruise Planning Timeline page

• Size of science party - Science Personnel page

• Bringing your own winch or other load handling gear - Science Party Load Handling Equipment page

• Embarkation and disembarkation of the vessel - Embarking & Disembarking Falkor (too) page

• Shipping and Cargo - Shipping, Cargo and Port Calls page. No shipments may be sent to or picked up directly from the ship or through Schmidt Ocean Institute's agent.

• Mobilization and demobilization of your cruise - Shipping, Cargo and Port Calls page

• Agent and port call costs - Shipping, Cargo and Port Calls page

• Hazardous materials - Laboratory and Hazardous Materials page

• Laboratory policies - Laboratory and Hazardous Materials page

• ITAR, EAR and import/export regulations - Permits page

Other Policies

Special Equipment and Facilities

Equipment not outlined on the Ship and Equipment page (and associated documents) is not able to be provided unless it was requested in your proposal and approved by the Director of Research.  Please carefully review the equipment, facilities and resources available before you submit your proposal and again before beginning cruise planning.  Every research vessel is different; please don't make assumptions based on your experience with other vessels.

Passports and Visas

The Chief Scientist of each cruise leg must ensure that each member of the scientific party meets the immigration and health requirements of all foreign ports to be visited.  Visas, vaccinations, onward tickets for those debarking in foreign ports, and special visas for aliens returning to the US are often required in addition to valid passports.

Detailed information is available from passport offices, foreign embassies and the US Public Health Service.   At times, airlines or immigration officers may insist that persons joining ship in a foreign port must have an “onward ticket” to be allowed to enter that nation.  Schmidt Ocean Institute does not provide tickets for passage on a research vessel but, if requested, the Institute will provide a “ticket letter” to each member of the scientific party authorizing our ship’s agent to provide onward transportation to anyone who misses the ship.  If this letter is actually used to obtain transportation it is your responsibility to reimburse Schmidt Ocean Institute for the cost of such tickets.

Please also refer to the Science Personnel and Passport and Documents page where additional information may be found.

Shipping Cargo On Falkor (too)

Due to space and logistical constraints, Falkor (too) is unable to transport cargo or hazardous goods between ports for you.  For example, if Port A is less expensive or more convenient, cargo can not be loaded in Port A if your cruise is operating out of Port B.  Cargo must be disembarked at the Port where your cruise ends.

Persons With Disabilities

Schmidt Ocean Institute provides reasonable accommodation to individuals who are disabled or become disabled and need assistance to perform the essential functions of their positions.  Limitations or restrictions are addressed to determine what, if any, reasonable accommodations can be made.

Reasonable Accommodation:  Schmidt Ocean Institute is prepared to make reasonable accommodations with regard to sailing aboard research vessels that we operate.  However, no accommodation will be considered “reasonable” if it may result in compromising the safety of the ship, its crew and other personnel aboard the ship.

Planning: There are many inherent dangers associated with going to sea.  The key to making reasonable accommodations is early prior planning.  The vessel’s Master and shore-side personnel need the earliest possible liaison to consider all of the ramifications and to ensure that adequate procedures can be put in place.

For more information, contact: Senior Director of Operations.

Age Restrictions

All persons must be 18 years of age or older to sail on Schmidt Ocean Institute's research vessels.