U.S. Oceanographic Research Vessel Arrives in Vietnam

U.S. researchers and Vietnamese experts will discuss coastal ocean circulation and land-ocean environmental developments this week as the R/V Roger Revelle, an auxiliary general purpose oceanographic research vessel (AGOR 28), continues its nine-day port call in the city of Da Nang, reports Phys.org.

The vessel which is owned by ONR (Office of Naval Research) arrived in Vietnam on June 22.

Its visit stresses collaboration between ONR and the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology as part U.S.-Vietnam Research Program on the Oceanography of the Vietnamese East Sea and Land-Ocean Interaction.

During the five-year oceanographic research program the U.S. scientists from top universities and research institutions will jointly research the complex ocean dynamics of the Vietnamese East Sea.

“Through this project, we will be able to improve forecasts from our integrated weather, wave and ocean models in the Western Pacific, which will enable safer and more efficient naval operations”, stated Scott Harper, ONR program manager for the project.

David B. Shear, U.S. ambassador to the country added, “This program will strengthen relationships between the U.S. and Vietnamese scientific communities and provide key information to help Vietnam address pressing environmental challenges, such as climate change.”

[mappress]
Subsea World News Staff , June 29, 2012;  Image: Scripps