Science Personnel

Introduction

The Chief Scientist is responsible for ensuring that all members of the science party have completed the necessary paperwork, for ensuring that travel and travel documents have been arranged and that all members of the science party arrive at the ship on time and stay long enough at the end of the cruise to ensure that all science materials are packed up, removed from the ship and that the science areas are left clean.  SOI will work with outreach specialists and SOI contracted individuals (e.g. vehicle technicians) on these issues. Information on organizing the science party is below and on the Embarking and Disembarking page.

Berths

The maximum of berths will be determined for all cruise participants, including the science party, any contractors (e.g. vehicle operators), required coastal state observers, etc during the cruise planning process.  

SOI may offer berths to an artist or student through our Artist-at-Sea program or our Student Opportunities program.  The SOI Director of Communications and Engagement Strategy will contact you regarding these possibilities if all available berths are not used by the science party.

Arrival and Departure

Please refer to the Embarking and Disembarking page for times when the science party is requested to be aboard the ship prior to departure and when the science party may stay on the ship.

Forms and Documentation

Each member of the science party will be asked to complete a:

• Waiver & Release Form

• Media Release and Waiver of Liability

• Data Protection Consent Form

• Medical Profile Form with Dr's letter 

• Safety Training Certificate

• Travel Medical Insurance 

• Passport

More information is available on the Participants page.

Passports, Visas and Travel

• All science party members must have a passport valid at least 6 months beyond the end of the cruise.

• For all cruises arriving or departing from the United States or US dependencies, all non-US Citizens are required to have a multi-entry visa of types Student (F1), Exchange Visitor (J1), Business (B1) or Visitor (B2) in order to sail on the ship.  Waiver visas are not sufficient.

• Countries other than the US may have differing requirements for visas with which all participants must comply.

• If you are asked for US contact information in the course of US visa applications, you may use the below information:

  1. Address where you will stay in the US: R/V Falkor (too), [Address of port facility which will vary by cruise.]

  2. Contact Person Name in the US: Eric King

     1. Phone Number: +1-206-428-1950

     2. Email address: eking@schmidtocean.org

  3. Organization Name in the US: Schmidt Ocean Institute

  4. Relationship to You: Collaborative Research Project Partner

  5. U.S. Contact Address: 555 Bryant Street, #374, Palo Alto, CA 94301 USA