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Carlos Moffat @carlosmoffat.com · 25/07/2025

Even as we've built amazing new technology for remote and autonomous ocean research, there's no replacement for sending scientists on a ship to the Southern Ocean to collect data from the sea floor, the deep ocean, and the coastal regions on land. (3/n)

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Carlos Moffat @carlosmoffat.com · 25/07/2025

More than 100 scientists who work in Antarctica or care about having a strong U.S. research presence there have signed a letter calling for the U.S. to keep the Palmer in operation. (4/n)

We write as deeply concerned members of the Antarctic research community after learning of the plan, by the National Science Foundation, to terminate the lease of the Research Vessel/ IceBreaker Nathaniel B.
Palmer in October of this year.

The United States Antarctic Program has had at least one dedicated research vessel operating in the Southern Ocean since 1968.
For those nearly six decades, the N.B.
Palmer and its predecessors have supported world-class science that helped grow the U.S.'s standing as a leader of international scientific research. At the same time, these vessels have provided critical logistical support for the U.S. Antarctic scientific bases. Even as automation and remote observations have increased our
observational capabilities in this harsh region of the world, there's no replacement for a dedicated research vessel that can access remote sea ice-covered regions of Antarctica and that allows sampling of the

of the world, there's no replacement for a dedicated research vessel that can access remote sea ice-covered regions of Antarctica and that allows sampling of the full depth of the ocean and coastal regions on land.
The early loss of the N.B. Palmer is troubling, especially at a time when other nations, including China, Korea, Japan, Britain, and Australia, among others, are increasing their marine capability for Antarctic waters. This decision forecasts the decline of an exceptional history of U.S. scientific contributions. Maintaining a continued US ship-based presence also has strong, strategic and national security geopolitical implications. Antarctica remains a model for international cooperation and peace, with all activities, marine and terrestrial, south of 60°S governed by the 1959 Antarctic Treaty. The treaty, signed by 58 nations, committed all parties to a civilian presence guiding scientific investigation of this remote
and fragile part of the world Today many

Treaty. The treaty, signed by 58 nations, committed all parties to a civilian presence guiding scientific investigation of this remote and fragile part of the world. Today, many nations operate research stations and vessels in the Antarctic. While Antarctica remains remote and a difficult place to access, the modern world allows easier access each year and the number of groups there grows each year, for research, for tourism, for exploitation of fishery stocks, and simply for exerting national presence.

We urge reconsideration of the decision to terminate the lease of the RVIB Nathaniel B.
Palmer, and the continued forward-looking development of the next generation of Antarctic research vessels that will continue US leadership, scientifically and
geopolitically, in the high southern latitudes.

Sincerely,

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Carlos Moffat @carlosmoffat.com · 25/07/2025

If you're one of those scientists and want to add your name to this effort, please let us know. Link, current signatories and email contact to add your voice are here: docs.google.com/document/d/1... (5/n)

docs.google.com

Antarctic Research Vessel Letter of Support

If you are a scientist interested in adding your name to our letter in support of the US Antarctic Program Research Vessel Capabilities, please email one of the following organizers by July 28th, 3:00...

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