Vessel Charter to Assist with Cook Inlet, AK Beluga Photogrammetry for the National Marine Mammal Lab

***PLEASE SEE ATTACHED STATEMENT OF NEED FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS.***

Background

The U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA, Marine Mammal Laboratory (MML) intends to conduct scientific research on beluga whales in Cook Inlet, AK. This study is part of a broader effort to understand the lack of recovery of the endangered population of Cook Inlet beluga whales in order to propose conservation actions to promote recovery. To conduct this photogrammetry research, a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aircraft system (UAS) will be launched from a small boat and be used to take high-resolution photographs of Cook Inlet beluga whales in Cook Inlet, AK from July to September 2020.

Objectives

To provide the rental of a boat and the services of the captain to assist scientists to conduct a photogrammetry project, involving the deployment and retrieval of a VTOL UAS to take high-resolution photographs of Cook Inlet beluga whales, as part of the scientific operations as required by MML to study beluga whales in Cook Inlet. Under the NEPA and the ESA, these data are needed by MML and the Alaska Regional Office (AKR) to manage the endangered population of Cook Inlet beluga whales.

Scope

Between July and September 2020, MML plans to conduct small boat operations out of Anchorage, AK, to collect high-resolution photographs of beluga whales using a UAS aircraft. The work will be conducted by boat during three 8-day periods: 31 July-7 August, 16-23 August, and 29 August-5 September. In total, we will spend up to 24 days on the water conducting UAS operations.