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Nancy Foster, one of the most operationally diverse platforms in the NOAA fleet, was originally built as a Navy yard torpedo test (YTT) craft. In 2001, the Navy transferred the vessel to NOAA, which outfitted the ship to conduct research along the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf coasts, and the Caribbean Sea. Nancy Foster is named for Dr. Nancy Foster, in tribute to her outstanding leadership within the National Marine Fisheries Service and National Ocean Service from 1986 until 2000.

Nancy Foster supports applied research primarily for NOAA's National Ocean Service and Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, and for NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service and National Weather Service on a more limited basis. Operations include the characterization of habitats and fauna in our nation's National Marine Sanctuaries and coastal waters, bathymetric surveys, physical and chemical oceanography studies, maritime heritage surveys, and pollution assessments. The vessel employs state of the art navigation, propulsion, and mission systems resulting in high quality and efficient data collection with cutting edge technology including high resolution multibeam sonars, split beam sonars, and a vast array of oceanographic and atmospheric sensors. Additional capabilities include water and sediment sampling, net towing, sub-bottom profiling, diving with air and NITROX, AUV and ROV support with dynamic positioning, small boat operations, and buoy servicing.

Nancy Foster's E-mail address is:

Nancy Foster's Mailing address is:

NOAA Ship Nancy Foster
Marine Operations Center, Atlantic
439 West York Street
Norfolk, VA 23510-1145

Nancy Foster's Telephone Numbers

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