Great Lakes Association of Science Ships
(GLASS)

About the Great Lakes Association of Science Ships (GLASS)

The Great Lakes Association of Science Ships (GLASS) enables fleet managers, scientists, and science vessel operators in the U.S. and Canada to effectively collaborate with their counterparts throughout the Great Lakes basin.

Great Lakes science vessels include both educational and research vessels. Research vessels are a critical part of U.S. and Canadian efforts to understand the Great Lakes and support a wide range of monitoring activities related to the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of the largest freshwater system in the world. Demand for scientific data has continued to increase, prompting research managers to seek better ways to coordinate the use of critical resources.

Since 1997, annual Great Lakes Science Vessel Coordination Workshops have been held to improve the coordination of science vessel operations. Recently, Fleet Management Webinars also have been conducted for vessel operators, managers, agency, industry, and university partners to discuss science and management priorities and capacity needs of the Great Lakes science vessel fleet. The Great Lakes Commission (GLC) coordinates with partners at the International Joint Commission to convene these annual events.

The GLASS website shares details on each ship in the fleet as well as points of contact. The website enables researchers to identify potential vessels for projects, and helps the public learn more about the importance of the Great Lakes science fleet.

This project supports the GLC’s strategic plan goals of safe and reliable waterways and resilient Great Lakes.

Get Involved

The Sci-Vessel email group is a forum for sharing information about Great Lakes science vessels. Posts include questions or information about management strategies, policy issues, research, education and outreach, etc. Visit the GLC’s email groups page to learn more about joining the Sci-Vessel email group.

The GLASS website includes information about upcoming events, including the annual science vessel coordination workshop and the spring fleet management and science support webinar.

Partners

The GLASS Steering Committee includes representatives of Canadian and U.S. federal, provincial, and state governments, as well as university, industry, and other partners across the Great Lakes basin.

Funding

Funding for this project is provided by the International Joint Commission.

For More Information

Mary Sabuda
Maritime Transportation Policy Advisor
[email protected]

Amanda Grimm
GIS Project Manager
[email protected]