Onboard the Research Vessel (R/V)Lake Guardian

R/V Lake Guardian

Photo courtesy of Kenneth R. Newhams

The Lake Guardian is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) largest Great Lakes' research and monitoring vessel. It is the only self-contained, non-polluting research vessel on the Great Lakes. The Lake Guardian, operated by the EPA’s Chicago-based Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO, conducts monitoring programs that sample the water, aquatic life, sediments, and air in order to assess the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem by using state-of-the-art data collection techniques and instruments during the biannual spring and summer surveys. It is also used to support research activities conducted by Federal, State, and, local agencies, and universities. R/V Lake Guardian has been operating on the waters of the Great Lakes for the past 12 years. The ship is offshore, collecting data, for approximately 7 months a yearThere are 16 rooms on R/V Lake Guardian, divided between a maximum of twenty-seven scientists and 13 crew. Rooms include bunks, desks, lockers, and computer LAN connections. Private bathrooms with showers or bathrooms shared between two rooms are available. Recreation, exercise, and meal facilities aboard R/V Lake Guardian are excellent

R/V Lake Guardian's captain and crew are provided by a contractor, and are noted for their high degree of professionalism, cooperation, and efficiency in monitoring and research work.

Visiting Researchers

The Great Lakes National Program Office offers R/V Lake Guardian as a ship of opportunity during the monitoring surveys to other federal, state and university scientists. We especially encourage research compatible with the standard sampling performed at each station. That is, simple water and/or plankton samples which can be subsequently processed and analyzed. If you have an interest in utilizing R/V Lake Guardian to facilitate your research, please contact Ms. Eda Lam at (312) 353-1739, for more information on the capabilities and requirements for use of the ship. Upon acquiring permission for use of the ship, a survey plan must be completed. The survey plan submittal form is available as a portable document file (pdf) (27Kb pdf). For an Microsoft Word/WordPerfect electronic version, please email Eda Lam (lam.eda@epamail.epa.gov) Environmental Protection Specialist, Great Lakes National Program Office.

All those new to traveling onboard R/V Lake Guardian are required to view Safety Aboard R/V Lake Guardian. It can be viewed online by clicking the above link. If your computer cannot support this action, please email Larry Brail (brail.larry@epamail.epa.gov) for either a CD or VHS copy.

About R/V Lake Guardian

Onboard the Research Vessel (R/V)Lake Guardian

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