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EPA’s new Ocean Survey Vessel Bold helps to monitor and assess the health of our oceans and coastal waters.
WHAT IS THE OSV Bold?
The OSV Bold is EPA’s only ocean and coastal monitoring vessel. The vessel is converted from a U.S. Navy ocean surveillance vessel to an Ocean Survey Vessel. It is specifically designed to meet EPA sampling and
data analysis needs. The OSV Bold is outfitted with state-of-the art equipment used to collect samples including water and sediments. These samples can then be
processed and analyzed in onboard laboratories or onshore.
EPA's OSV Bold:
Supports surveys assessing the health of our marine resources.
Allows scientists to monitor and to assess the effects of human activities.
Collects oceanographic data on oceans and coastal areas of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico.
Provides educational opportunities about ocean and coastal pollution issues and state-of-the-art oceanographic monitoring techniques.
Supports the Administration’s Ocean Action Plan commitment to upgrade our nation’s ocean monitoring facilities.
WHY IS OCEAN AND COASTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT IMPORTANT?
Pollution from land- and water-based activities adversely affects marine resources. It can cause outbreaks of harmful algal blooms, hypoxia, beach
and shellfish bed closures, and seafood consumption advisories. Ocean and coastal monitoring allows scientists to assess physical, chemical and/or biological effects from human activities. Policymakers use information gained from ocean and coastal surveys to implement programs so that they protect our ocean and coastal environments.
WHAT TYPES OF OCEAN AND COASTAL MONITORING DOES THE OSV BOLD SUPPORT?
Projects include monitoring the impacts of regulated disposal, such as dredged materials and wastewater discharges. Projects also include monitoring the health of coral reefs and the impacts of ecological disturbances, such as harmful algal blooms and hypoxia.
HOW DOES THE OSV BOLD SUPPORT OCEAN AND COASTAL MONITORING?
The OSV Bold is equipped with state-of-the-art sampling, mapping, and analysis equipment including sidescan sonar, underwater video,
water sampling instruments, and sediment sampling devices, which scientists use in various monitoring activities. The OSV Bold also has small boats and equipment to support SCUBA diver operations during monitoring surveys.
WHAT OTHER ACTIVITIES DOES THE OSV BOLD SUPPORT?
EPA trains SCUBA divers aboard the OSV Bold as part of its Dive Program. The OSV Bold also serves as a classroom, holding tours and demonstration surveys to educate the public including students and teachers,
on ocean and coastal pollution issues.
HOW CAN I OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION?
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Certified Chief Scientists from EPA Regions, program offices, and Headquarters, design and conduct monitoring surveys onboard the OSV Bold.
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Surveys conducted onboard the OSV Bold include assessing air deposition, red tides, harmful algal blooms, waste disposal, ocean wastewater
outfalls, marine debris, and hazardous material spills to determine potential impacts and appropriate control strategies.
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OSV Bold's Mission
The OSV Bold supports EPA’s efforts to monitor and assess impacts on ocean and coastal waters from land- and ocean-based human activities and
naturally occuring ecological disturbances.
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About the OSV Bold
Length: 224 feet
Width: 43 feet
Draft: 15 feet
Displacement: 2300 tons
Speed: 11 knots
Operating Crew: 19
Scientists: 20 |
Working from the OSV Bold, the EPA Dive Team monitors impacts to coral reef health.
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Under the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA), EPA is responsible for designating and monitoring sites
for dredged material disposal. Scientists onboard the OSV Bold collect and analyze organisms and sediment for population diversity and
pollutant concentrations at dredged material disposal sites along our Nation’s coasts. |
Office of Water
Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. (Mail Code 4504T), Washington, D.C. 20460
EPA-842-F-05-001a
October 2005
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