The crew of Skidaway Institute of Oceanography’s Research Vessel Savannah has been honored with the Gold Award in the Chancellor’s Customer Service Recognition Awards. The crew won the award in the team category in a competition among all 36 institutions in the University System of Georgia for year ending June 30, 2012.

The 92-foot, ocean-going R/V Savannah is used by scientists from Skidaway Institute as well as other institutions for oceanographic research in waters ranging from Cape Hatteras to the Gulf of Mexico.

The award was based on a survey of scientist-customers in which R/V Savannah crew received outstanding reviews. In the two key categories that dealt directly with the crew and their interaction with the science parties, the scientists rated the crew with an average of 4.97 on a scale of one to five.

The crew received the award in a ceremony at Clayton State University on October 4th. The team is led by Captain Raymond Sweatte, and includes First Mate Peter Casserleigh, Engineer Richard Huguley, Second Mate Chris Keene and Marine Technician John Bitchy. They are supported by Marine Superintendent Michael Richter. 

The Skidaway Institute of Oceanography is currently seeking applications for two faculty positions.

Trace Element Geochemist – This is a faculty position at the Assistant Professor level in trace element geochemistry. Applications from more senior candidates will also be considered. The successful candidate must have a Ph.D. and is expected to develop an active, extramurally funded research program. We are particularly interested in a collaborative colleague who can demonstrate experience in conducting field-based, interdisciplinary research in estuarine, coastal and/or marine environments.

For additional details, see the full job description and application guidelines at: http://www.skio.usg.edu/aboutus/jobs/1348248214.pdf

Marine Environmental Chemist – This is a faculty position at the Assistant Professor level in environmental chemistry, with interest in organic contaminant chemistry in the marine environment. Applications from more senior candidates will also be considered. The successful candidate must have a Ph.D. and is expected to develop an active, extramurally funded research program. We are particularly interested in a collaborative colleague who can demonstrate experience in conducting field-based, interdisciplinary research in estuarine, coastal and/or marine environments.

For additional details, see the full job description and application guidelines at: http://www.skio.usg.edu/aboutus/jobs/1348248079.pdf

Skidaway Marine Science Day

Saturday, 20 October 2012     Noon until 4 PM

Continuous Activities

• Jay Wolfe Nature Trail, Interpretive Cabin, Interpretive Gardens. Open at 10 AM (UGA Marine Education Center & Aquarium - MECA)

• University of Georgia Aquarium Open – Free Admission

• Ossabaw the Loggerhead Sea Turtle on display (Aquarium)

• Touch Tanks (Aquarium)

• Behind the Scenes peeks at the UGA Aquarium. Every 10 minutes. Maximum of 15 visitors at a time. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. (Line up at back aquarium door.)

• Environmental Group Exhibits (Skidaway Institute Quad)

• Tours of Research Vessel Savannah (Skidaway Institute Dock)

• Plankton World (Marine and Coastal Science Research and Instruction Center - MCSRIC)

• Build a Plankton (Tent outside MCSRIC)

• Science Exhibits (Skidaway Institute Quad & R/V Savannah)

• Microbe Hunt – Grab a swab and find the microbes in the world around you. (Skidaway Institute Quad)

• Gray’s Reef ROV Activity (Skidaway Institute Quad)

• Oyster Reef Restoration Displays and Activities (Shellfish Lab Patio)

• Habitat Explorations: Oceans (Aquarium Day Group Room)

• Habitat Explorations: Plankton (Aquarium Plankton Lab)

• Habitat Explorations: Tidal Creeks (Aquarium Invertebrate Lab)

• “Marine Debris” (Aquarium Art Lab)

• Crabbing on the Dock 1-3 PM (UGA Marine Extension Service Dock)

• The Savannah Blood Alliance Blood Donation Drive (Aquarium Parking Lot)

• Door Contest: Visitors can enter their name in a drawing for a Free Season Family Pass to the Aquarium. (Sign up - front desk, Aquarium Lobby)

• Radio Broadcasting – Adventure Radio Group

Scheduled Events

12:15 PM – Fish Feeding (Aquarium)

12:30 PM – “Bridges and Bulls: A history of Skidaway Island” A talk and walking tour by Dr. Bill Savidge (begins at the McGowan Library Auditorium)

1:00 – Shark Dissection with Curator Devin Dumont (Aquarium Invertebrate Lab)

12:30 PM – Plankton Sink- Off Preliminary Round (Tent outside MCSRIC)

1:30 PM – “What are scientists talking about?” A series of short talks by Skidaway Institute faculty on current research and issues in marine science. (McGowan Library Auditorium)

1:30 PM – Plankton Sink Off Preliminary Round (Tent outside MCSRIC)

1:50PM – Fish Feeding (Aquarium)

2:00PM – Reptile Show with John “Crawfish” Crawford, Marine Educator. Gators, snakes, turtles, and lizards, OH MY! Develop a greater understanding of some of the most amazing vertebrates found along the Georgia coast. (MECA Screened porch)

2:30 PM – Plankton Sink Off Preliminary Round (Tent outside MCSRIC)

2:00 PM – Skidaway Island History Talk and Tour by Dr. Bill Savidge (begins at McGowan Library Auditorium)

2:30PM – Behind the Scenes Tour (Aquarium)

2:30 PM – Plankton Sink Off Preliminary Round (Tent outside MCSRIC)

2:50 PM – Fish Feeding (Aquarium)

3:00 PM – Georgia Sea Turtles with John “Crawfish” Crawford, Marine Educator. Join in this fun and exciting know all about sea turtles, especially the ones that use Georgia beaches as nesting sites. (MECA Screened porch)

3:30 PM – Plankton Sink-Off Final Round (Tent outside MCSRIC)

Participating Environmental and Educational Groups

Georgia DNR-CRD

Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary

The Dolphin Project

Savannah National Wildlife Refuge

Georgia Sea Turtle Center

Tybee Marine Science Center

Sierra Club

Skidaway Island State Park

Georgia DNR - Law Enforcement

Georgia DNR – Underwater Archaeology

Savannah State University Marine Sciences Department

Armstrong Atlantic State University Diamondback Terrapin Project

Youth for a Cleaner Environment

Coastal residents are exposed to a number of unique hazards associated with living near the ocean. These hazards range from hurricane storm surge to rapid erosion.  They occur both from natural processes and human activities.

Skidaway Institute of Oceanography professor Clark Alexander and Georgia Southern University professor Chester Jackson will present a program entitled “Living on the Edge - Coastal Hazards in Georgia” on Monday, October 22, at 7 p.m. in the Library Auditorium on the campus of the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography at the north end of Skidaway Island.

The talk is open to the public and admission is free.

The program is sponsored by the University of Georgia Marine Extension Service, the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

If interested, please RSVP to (912) 598-2496.