Seattle events highlight Sikuliaq's research abilities

August 26, 2016

UAF photo by Todd Paris. Tour participants visit the R/V Sikuliaq in Seattle on Aug. 16.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences hosted tours of the research vessel Sikuliaq on Aug. 16 in Seattle. A donor-sponsored reception followed at the Palisade Restaurant.

The event was a formal recognition of the 40-plus-year SFOS-led design and construction effort of the National Science Foundation-owned Sikuliaq. This was the first time that tours and an open house for the Sikuliaq were held in Seattle.

“This event succeeded in its broader goal to strengthen connections with our many stakeholders, forge new alliances, and raise awareness of our cutting-edge research, outstanding education programs and wide-ranging service to Alaska and the nation,” said SFOS Dean S. Bradley Moran.

Over the course of a few hours, 166 people toured the Sikuliaq, where they learned about day-to-day ship operations, as well as the different labs and facilities onboard. The tours and reception also helped raise awareness of the consequences of Arctic change and how SFOS and UAF are working to address some of the most pressing marine environmental issues for the benefit of Alaska and the nation. The 261-foot long, ice-capable Sikuliaq is the largest vessel and NSF asset ever operated by SFOS and the University of Alaska system.

“The UAF/SFOS event in Seattle was a good moment to reflect on the enormity of the accomplishment, as well as highlight the consequential role R/V Sikuliaq will have to ocean sciences, especially in the Arctic region,” said Rose Dufour, program officer for NSF. “NSF is proud of the stewardship and partnership with UAF/SFOS.”

The reception was hosted by the At-sea Processors Association, a group of six companies in the Alaska pollock and West Coast Pacific whiting fisheries: Trident Seafoods, American Seafoods, Starbound, Glacier Fish Co., Arctic Storm and the Coastal Villages Regional Fund.

Speakers at the reception included Jim Johnsen, UA president; Dana Thomas, interim UAF chancellor; S. Bradley Moran, SFOS dean; Pat Pitney, director of the Office of Management and Budget, Office of the Governor of Alaska; Dufour; Vera Alexander, SFOS dean emerita; Denby Lloyd, executive director, North Pacific Research Board; John Farrell, executive director, U.S. Arctic Research Commission; Chris Sabine, director, Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

“On behalf of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, I was pleased and grateful to have the opportunity to tour the Sikuliaq, our nation’s new, global-class, ice-capable research vessel,” said Farrell. “And as I said at the event in Seattle, we’re confident in the ability of UAF/SFOS to successfully operate the NSF-owned vessel to significantly advance marine research, particularly in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions.”