Ballast Water Demonstration Project (w/NOAA & FWS)
NOAA/Fish and Wildlife Service/MARAD have teamed up by way of a federal funding opportunity (FFO) that allows researchers to apply, not only for grant funding from NOAA or the Fish and Wildlife Service, but also for use of a ship from the MARAD Ready Reserve Force (RRF)to serve as an experimental test platform. MARAD also provides ship/industry knowledgeable representatives to the proposal evaluation team.
The use of ships is important; as more ballast water technologies approach maturity, there will be an increasing need for operational ships on which these technologies can be tested. The ability to conduct tests on commercial ships is constrained by the operational demands on a ship.
Click here to see the details
Facilitating Great Lakes Research on Ballast Water Treatment Technology
MARAD signed a Memorandum of Understanding with NOAA for developing a ballast water treatment technology testing platform that will be used for research on the Great Lakes. MARAD, using in-house marine engineers and naval architects, will convert one of its barges into a platform for testing technologies. The less than full-scale testing platform serves as an intermediate step in technology development prior to tests on a full-scale ship. Preliminary drawings have been completed. Modification contract solicitation to be released late October 2005. Operational at Great Lakes port early 2006.
Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force
MARAD became a member in May 2005. The ANS Task Force is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to preventing and controlling aquatic nuisance species, and implementing the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act (NANPCA) of 1990. The various NANPCA mandates were expanded later with the passage of the National Invasive Species Act (NISA) in 1996. It is Co-chaired by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Task force information
MARAD is Seeking Test Platforms
MARAD is seeking excess barges or other suitable platforms for conversion to testing platforms. Once acquired, MARAD will provide the technical expertise to develop specification packages, conceptual drawings, and cost estimates for conversion.
