V--Vessel Charter Walrus Radio Tagging in Chukchi Sea

The U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) wishes to charter an offshore research vessel capable of working in broken sea ice to support a walrus radio-tagging project in the northern Chukchi Sea for a maximum of 14 days between July 12 and 26, 2014. Actual trip timing and length will depend on the weather and sea ice and the billing will reflect actual charter days. The work area will be the northeastern Chukchi Sea at the southern edge of the retreating pack ice. One workboat will be provided by USGS and must be loaded onto the charter vessel from a port with road access near Anchorage, Alaska. The vessel will be required to transit to Nome, or other appropriate port near the work area, board the science crew, and continue to the work area for arrival to the work area by about July 15, 2014. The estimated location of the work area will be 150 nautical miles west of Barrow, but will ultimately dependent on sea ice conditions at the time. The vessel will operate within the sea ice margin. Radio-tagging will occur for up to 10 days, and then the vessel will return the science crew to the nearest suitable logistics base, with a preference for Wainwright or Nome. The vessel will provide transportation and support for the science crew of up to 9 people working for USGS, as well a suitable workboat and boat operator experienced in small boat handling offshore in sea ice. The size of the USGS crew will be agreed upon at least one month prior to sailing. The vendor will transport the USGS skiff from a port with road access near Anchorage, Alaska and return the USGS skiff to that port upon completion of the vendors season in the Chukchi Sea.