Each shipboard scientist must obtain a physical examination by a duly licensed physician. ODP mails all pertinent forms along with instructions to participants 4 months in advance of each cruise. The completed physical examination form must be returned to ODP 2 months in advance of the cruise port call to allow sufficient time for review by the ship's physician. To board the ship, each participant must have a completed physical examination form on file at ODP/TAMU.
Shipboard participants who have experienced motion sickness are advised to discuss precautionary measures with their doctor. Medications are available on board to prevent seasickness but are less helpful after symptoms have begun. Also, it is advisable to notify the ship's doctor as soon as possible at the beginning of the cruise that seasickness may be a concern.
Shipboard participants requiring special or prescription medicines must bring an ample 2-month supply for their use. Prescriptions cannot be refilled on board, and only small quantities of over-the-counter drugs are maintained.
Before the cruise, each shipboard participant must obtain a passport and the necessary visas and inoculations required by the countries to be visited. The JOIDES Resolution is a Liberian registered vessel; therefore, it is necessary for all U.S. personnel to have valid U.S. passports in their possession upon joining or leaving the vessel at American ports as well as during international travel to and from the ship.
Each scientist is responsible for having the correct tourist or transit visas. Visa requirements may differ if arriving/departing by ship vs. airplane; participants must verify these requirements with the appropriate consulate or embassy. On rare occasions, special visas are required. If travel to or from the ship includes personal travel time, the visa requirements may differ; participants must verify these requirements with the appropriate consulate or embassy.
Scientists from countries other than the United States must make their own travel arrangements, both for the cruise and for postcruise meetings. Travel costs for non-U.S. scientists are paid by funding sources within their own countries.
For U.S. scientists from academic institutions and government agencies, travel to and from the cruise and postcruise meetings is arranged by ODP/TAMU and paid by funds available through the U.S. Science Support Program (USSSP). Questions about travel arrangements may be addressed to the ODP/TAMU Travel Supervisor, Ocean Drilling Program, 1000 Discovery Drive, College Station, Texas 77845-9547, or via e-mail to Denise DeShetler at deshetler@odpemail.tamu.edu.
The Scientific Prospectus presents scientific and operational program details for each leg. It is the main reference for prospective leg participants and potential shore-based investigators. The prospectus also represents the contract between the Co-Chief Scientists, ODP, and the JOIDES community.
The Prospectus is placed on the Web ~2 months after the precruise meeting (this time frame is highly dependent on how complete the document is at the end of the precruise meeting) at www-odp.tamu.edu/publications/SCIPROSP.HTML.
Sample requests will be reviewed by the Staff Scientist and Curator 2–3 months before the cruise. Copies of sample requests will be sent to the Co-Chief Scientists 1–2 months before the cruise begins. The Sample Request Form may be accessed at www-odp.tamu.edu/curation/subsfrm.htm.
The Sample Distribution, Data Distribution, and Publications Policy may be accessed from the Curation Web page at www-odp.tamu.edu/publications/policy.html.
ODP maintains an open multiplatform environment (i.e., Windows, Mac, UNIX, and DOS). Participants who have special computing/platform needs or are planning to bring equipment and/or software aboard the ship must contact the ODP/TAMU Staff Scientist at least 1 month before the cruise. For detailed information on computers, software, and support availability on the ship see www-odp.tamu.edu/isg/.
Scientists should alert ODP as early as possible if special equipment, supplies, laboratory space, and so on are needed. A list of supplies generally available on board the ship is posted on the ODP Web page.
All luggage, including official ODP hand-carried items and personal effects, is subject to inspection by Customs.
Supplies/equipment for each leg are staged at ODP/TAMU, and then packed/shipped from ODP via surface and/or air freight to the port call. Special research equipment can be sent to ODP/TAMU to the attention of the Staff Scientist for the leg. If these items are received by posted cut-off dates they will be included in the ODP/TAMU shipments. Documentation is required for items sent for trans-shipment to generate proper shipping papers. Information accompanying equipment/supplies for shipment should include (1) individual item description, (2) serial/model numbers, (3) quantity, (4) value (USD), (5) dimensions/weights, and (6) PO numbers (if applicable).
Items intended for the ship should be sent directly to our port agent only in exceptional circumstances. Such direct shipments must be preapproved and coordinated with the ODP/TAMU logistics office. Direct shipments will be opened for inspection prior to loading on the ship. Note that by law the Ship Captain has the authority to refuse to load any substance considered hazardous to health or safety.
Freight sent to port is loaded beginning on day 2 of the port call. Clearances, crew changes, and information exchanges known as "cross-overs" take place on day 1.
Freight from a port call is off-loaded as soon as possible after clearances have been granted.
A ship's store operated by the ship crew sells miscellaneous personal supplies and toiletries. The store is small, so supplies should be brought from home or bought at port call. A store run by ODP sells ODP/TAMU T-shirts and sweatshirts, JOIDES Resolution baseball caps, small cloth ODP patches, ODP coffee mugs, and JOIDES Resolution postcards.
ODP accepts U.S. currency and credit cards for e-mail and ship's stores; however, phone calls must be paid with U.S. currency (cash or traveler's checks). ODP does not accept foreign currency or personal checks.
Special dietary requirements should be brought to the Staff Scientist's attention as early as possible prior to the leg.
The following items may not be brought on board the ship as they are strictly prohibited: firearms, alcohol, or illegal drugs. See the "Appendix: ODP/TAMU Administrative Information and Shipboard Policies."
Table T1 lists items that should be brought to the ship. Shopping is usually available close to the hotel/ship for many of the items; however this is not always true.