Our recent communications have been rich with news of change within the U.S. Implementing Organization and across the IODP.  I wanted to take a moment to put these changes into perspective and to bring you up to date on where we are on a number of fronts.  As I write, I am in Singapore meeting with shipyard, Transocean, and TAMU staff and assessing progress on the JOIDES Resolution.

First I want to thank Jeff Fox and Jack Baldauf for their many years of service to the scientific ocean drilling community.  I have worked closely with Jeff and Jack for almost eight years, and I know first hand of their commitment to the success of the ocean research community and the many sacrifices they have made to support excellence in the services they have provided. I look forward to continuing to work with them to gain their insights and perspectives as I move to TAMU for an interim period as Director of Science Services, while the search and selection of the permanent Director is ongoing, and before moving on with my own career goals.

Status of the JOIDES Resolution

Significant progress on the modernization of the JOIDES Resolution continues.  Outfitting of the new accommodations and laboratories is well along, while vessel and drilling equipment refurbishment and re-installation nears completion.  The vessel modernization is about 94% complete as of May 31st, with re-delivery from the shipyard expected in mid-September, after vessel tests and trials.  The acquisition and development of the science systems are complete.  In fact, a team of scientists from numerous institutions test-drove loggers, imager, database and related software on June 18-20th, in College Station, Texas, with excellent results.  These systems are now being prepared for shipment to Singapore for installation onboard. Laboratory furnishings and science equipment installation will begin prior to vessel re-delivery from the shipyard, as each lab space becomes available.  The installation and testing of the science systems as well as the vessel load out will be completed prior to leaving Singapore on October 11th, for New Zealand.  During the transit, an independent readiness assessment team will be brought onboard in Darwin, Australia, to verify the readiness for science operations while undergoing a seven-day sea trial of drilling, coring, logging and exercising other science systems.   The JOIDES Resolution will arrive in Wellington, NZ, on November 12th, ready to begin the Canterbury Basin expedition.

Status of the USIO and expedition planning

Expedition planning for Canterbury, Wilkes Land and Equatorial Pacific expeditions is moving ahead in expectation of the resumption of scientific drilling in November.

A number of you have asked about the wisdom of initiating Phase Two drilling at Canterbury owing to the potentially severe environmental challenges of the Southern Ocean. Given that the JR will have been extensively refurbished, refitted, and upgraded, one cannot expect that everything will function perfectly - even with testing - upon return to the rigors of expedition drilling.  We have considered the risks involved and believe that proximity to port is the single most important factor in the mitigation of risk for the first expedition of Phase Two.  Given potential expeditions and options for a logical expedition sequence, Canterbury is the preferred choice as the drilling sites are within a day or so of the port of Wellington, NZ.

Work with industry and the future of scientific drilling

As you are aware, owing to increased costs of operations and restricted funding for the drilling platforms, along with our Japanese colleagues, we are involved in discussions with industry to find ways for the JR to be used by industry for approximately four months a year beginning in FY 09.  This means that the IODP for which we planned in the previous 10 plus years is not the program we will execute in Phase Two.

A number of approaches are being taken to find industry work that can dovetail with, or at least not disrupt, the scientific objectives of IODP. Through communications from IODP-MI you are aware of the development of an industry consortium.  Other possibilities are also being explored including discussions with Transocean, the operating partner for the JR, and Fugro. In addition, we are discussing the potential for methane-hydrate drilling for Korea and China and possibly India.  All of these efforts are underway and at different stages of development.

As we craft a vision for the program in Phase Two and the involvement of industry, we are mindful that the science services model, the engagement of the IODP Science Advisory Structure and USAC will also evolve as adjustments are made to face the new realities.  For the USIO, the principles that guide us are the efficiency and effectiveness of science delivery, maximization of science outcomes, and the interactions with and involvement of the research community for guidance as events unfold. What we can be sure of is the Phase Two program will be very different from Phase 1, which had in many ways the look and feel of ODP.  What is unknown at this time is how the science and industry missions will come together.  We shall keep you posted.

As always, I appreciate your thoughts and advice.  You may also wish to reach out to members of USAC to give input. USAC will be in DC for their semi-annual meeting the second full week of July.

Steve